Rachel Smalley
Rachel Smalley | |
|---|---|
| Born | New Zealand |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, television and radio presenter |
| Years active | 1997–2017 |
| Known for | Host of Early Edition on Newstalk ZB; presenter of TV3’s Nightline, Firstline, and The Nation; contributor to The New Zealand Herald; panelist on TVNZ’s Q + A |
Rachel Jane Smalley is a journalist and presenter from New Zealand, known for her work in both television and radio. Between 2013 and 2017, she was the host of the weekday morning programme Early Edition on Newstalk ZB and contributed regular columns to The New Zealand Herald.
Early life
Raised in the rural area of Canterbury, Smalley completed her secondary education at Lincoln High School in 1988.
Career
Following her graduation from Wellington Polytechnic, Smalley launched her journalism career in radio at Newstalk ZB before transitioning to TV3. Her experience expanded internationally when she worked with Sky News in the United Kingdom and acted as MediaWorks' correspondent based in Europe. Upon returning to New Zealand, she took on the role of host for TV3’s Nightline. In 2011, she became the primary presenter of TV3’s breakfast show Firstline and also led the weekly political and current affairs programme The Nation.
In 2013, Smalley shifted to early morning radio, anchoring Early Edition on Newstalk ZB, which aired weekdays from 5am to 6am. The following year, she joined the team of TVNZ’s Q + A on TV One.
On 13 October 2017, Smalley publicly announced her decision to leave both Newstalk ZB and her journalism profession after a career spanning twenty years. Her last appearance on Early Edition took place on 15 December 2017.
In recognition of her contributions to broadcasting and health advocacy, Smalley was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2024 King's Birthday Honours.