Miriama Kamo on life after Sunday and what’s next

Journalist Miriama Kamo has covered some of the nation’s biggest stories. Photo / NZ Woman's Weekly

Over the course of her impressive career, journalist Miriama Kamo, 51, has covered some of the nation’s biggest stories. “It’s such a privilege to go into people’s homes and for them to trust us with their deepest, darkest moments, or their most triumphant, then share those stories with the world.”

Miriama joined TVNZ in 2002 as a reporter and news anchor, and held top spots fronting big shows, including 20/20, Marae and Sunday. But there was one story Miriama never expected to tell and that was the demise of the long-form current affairs programme that had been her home for more than 20 years.

“We’d all heard whispers, but we weren’t overly worried because Sunday was high-rating with a dedicated audience and it still made money, so we were blindsided when it was announced,” tells Miriama.

Miriama joined TVNZ in 2002 as a reporter and news anchor and held top spots fronting big shows, including 20/20, Marae and Sunday. Photo / NZ Woman's Weekly

That grief then played out for the nation during the final broadcast on May 14 last year, when newsroom staff gave the Sunday team a guard of honour as they left the studio for the last time.

“I’m realistic,” she says. “Times are tough everywhere, but there is still grief and not just for the people who lost their jobs, but for society – that something as important as long-form journalism should struggle like this, because we need checks and balances to ensure a strong democracy.”

But Miriama isn’t one to mope, and with husband Mike Dreaver and kids Sam, 24, and Te Rerehua, 13, in her corner, she’s taking this opportunity to consider her future.

She explains, “My biggest motivation is asking how can I serve? How can I be useful? I’m passionate about environmental issues and on New Year’s Eve 2018, I took up a month-long ZeroWaste challenge.”

Miriama has even been sharing her sustainability journey on social media, although she confesses she didn’t expect the ZeroWaste journey to last.

“I thought it’d be something I’d be happy to stop doing, but it really opened my eyes,” she reflects. “Once you realise you’re responsible for everything you buy or obtain – even after it’s moved out of your life – it really makes you think twice before purchasing things. So now I always ask, ‘Do I need this new thing?’ And if the answer is yes, ‘Can I get it second-hand?’”

Miriama says she didn’t expect her ZeroWaste journey to last. Photo / NZ Woman's Weekly

Miriama ponders whether she’s bought brand new of late. “Maybe sheets? And I use our old ones as gift wrap. Actually, Anika Moa did laugh when she heard this and asked what about undies. So yes, I do get undies new!” she chuckles.

Fans will be relieved Miriama still has TV in her sights. “Beyond tending the garden, which it turns out I’m quite good at even though I’ve no idea what I’m doing, I’ve started a production company with friends. We’re pitching ideas all over the place, from documentaries to current affairs and entertainment. Hopefully, some of those ideas will come to fruition.”

When asked how much work defines her, Miriama says her sense of self has changed over the years.

“If you’d asked me that 10 or 15 years ago, I might have said I’m fearful of job loss, but the ZeroWaste movement has really helped.

“I now embrace action over anxiety. So even if it’s just unpaid social media posts, I know I’m still contributing to an important issue – the environment – because there’s always something I can do that makes a difference.”

Miriama makes it clear she hasn’t suffered like so many others in Aotearoa.

“I’m grateful,” she says. “I have my family, friends and passions. Last year, I did another full immersion te reo Māori course, which was soul-filling.”

Miriama is looking forward to this month’s HamLit, a new literary festival that’s part of Hamilton Arts Festival. Photo / NZ Woman's Weekly

She also champions the reo through Kotahi Rau Pukapuka (KRP), which aims to translate 100 books from Harry Potter to The Alchemist.

“We want people to read in te reo Māori for joy, not just learning, and we have an awesome range of stories in the pipeline,” she says.

On the subject of books, Miriama is looking forward to this month’s HamLit, a new literary festival that’s part of Hamilton Arts Festival/Toi Ora Ki Kirikiriroa.

“I can’t wait to meet the authors,” she enthuses. “Michelle Rahurahu’s book Poorhara blew me away. And Airana Ngārewa [The Bone Tree] will talk about his new book Pātea Boys. I read their books while camping over summer and they offer intelligent commentary on Māori identity and colonisation, and on how Māori succeed – or don’t – in a system that wasn’t built for us.”

Before Miriama returns to her garden, she has one final thing to say.

“I’m so fortunate to have had a 22-year career at TVNZ,” she muses. “It probably won’t be replicated for anyone else because the landscape has changed so dramatically. So while there is sadness, there is also gratitude.

“It’s a tough time for so many, but there is always goodness to be found.”

HamLit takes place in the Hamilton Gardens on February 22 and 23. For more info, visit hamiltonartsfestival.co.nz/hamlit.