Lush lifestyle waiting south of Bombays

By LOUISA CLEAVE

Tim Shadbolt did it.

Now radio and television personality Marcus Lush is following the former West Auckland mayor by quitting the big smoke for life in Invercargill.

Lush has taken a job as breakfast host on Radio Foveaux, starting on May 1.

The 36-year-old was born in Auckland and has lived in the city most of his life. But he decided it was time to try life beyond the Bombay Hills and started looking for work in the regions.

He checked out the internet and found Radio Foveaux looking for a host. It was the first job he had ever applied for, Lush said.

"Most people think I've taken leave of my senses," he told the Herald.

"And then they see what it's about. It's about lifestyle. All that outdoors and tramping stuff is just there. Queenstown is two hours away."

Lush said he had always wanted to live in the South Island, and he had no concerns about being accepted down south.

"I think the fact you're prepared to go there and give their town a chance, I have no doubt I'll be accepted."

Lush is giving up his Friday night relationship show on Newstalk ZB, and a part-time advice gig on TV One's new afternoon programme How's Life?

He will have a potential audience of about 100,000 but is going into his new job as the radio underdog.

He said Classic Hits, which is broadcast from Auckland, was the preferred breakfast show in the city.

But Lush reckons people are tired of listening to networked stations which do not reflect local issues.

"I'll be there to reflect their community rather than do a breakfast show that comes out of Auckland."

He is not entirely escaping from the trappings of the national media. Lush plans to present stories for the television arts show Mercury Lane from his southern base and do freelance work for TVNZ's current affairs show Sunday.

He intends to make a long-term commitment to Invercargill and said he would not miss Auckland.

"God, it drives me nuts. People talking about their property values and people complaining about pay-and-display."

He will rent out his Auckland house and plans to buy down south.

"There are houses with ballrooms for sale down there for what you would [pay for] a beaten-up ex-state [house] in Birkdale."