Good Morning, Vietnam! Kanoa's Tour Of Love

The presenter’s got so many projects on the go

- Sophie Neville

Just before taking to the stage to host the New Zealand Music Awards last month, Kanoa Lloyd had one of those unmistakable pinch-me moments.

With Kiwi singing legend Stan Walker at her side and the venue filled with some of this country’s biggest names, the former children’s TV presenter was hit by the enormity of just how far she’s come in the past few years.

“I had to stop for a second and take stock,” she confesses. “I remember thinking, ‘OMG, this is my life!’ It felt totally amazing, hilarious and really, really cool.”

The Gisborne-born 32-year-old, who started her broadcasting career on kids’ show Sticky TV when she was still at high school, has cemented herself as one of Aotearoa’s brightest stars since joining the presenting panel on Three’s The Project, following a three-year stint as Newshub’s weather presenter.

While she’d be forgiven for letting the success go to her head, Kanoa will never stop being grateful for where she’s at in life. She enthuses, “Quite often, I’ll just step back and think, ‘Whoa, this is so awesome!’ I never, ever take for granted this incredible run of opportunities I’ve had.