A cup of tea with... KANOA LLOYD

THE PASSIONATE PRESENTER OPENS UP ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF THERAPY

- Karyn Henger

Kanoa Lloyd from Three’s current affairs TV show The Project first burst on to our screens 11 years ago as the fun-loving co-host of kids’ show Sticky TV, and has gone on to become one of Aotearoa’s most-loved broadcasters. The 33-year-old will always speak up for the underdog, championing causes she believes in such as greater use of te reo Maori on TV and raising awareness around mental health.

Kanoa, how would you describe your childhood?

It was a very eighties/nineties childhood, which meant a lot of going to the park after the morning cartoons on TV and coming home when you were hungry. I did most of my schooling between Cromwell and Dunedin. We lived in lovely, safe communities where you just ran around and hung out at bus stops and tried to do cool tricks on slides. I lived in 15 different houses by the time I finished high school. We stayed in the same school, just moved houses a lot.

What kind of student were you?

Annoying! I loved reading and lots of my teachers brought me books and encouraged my reading and writing. I was not particularly quiet and if we ever did a school play, I was like, “Right, this is my moment. Get out of my way everybody!” I was very competitive, even though I didn’t have any particular ability or skill, and that carries on to this day. If you challenge me to something, I’ll do it, even if I know I’ll lose.