No stranger to red carpet events, entertainment journalist Kate Rodger has a passion for film, fashion and fragrance. Editor Trudi Brewer steps into her very glam, yet very real world.

From live television, to attending red carpet film premieres, this is what journalist Kate Rodger calls work. As the Newshub entertainment editor Rodger celebrity roll call includes Cindy Crawford, Meryl Streep, Han Solo and more recently (BEQ's man-crush) Chris Hemsworth. But when Rodger is at home in Auckland she is a mum who loves nothing more than entertaining in her Auckland bungalow, New Zealand fashion and discovering a new scent. Here's a slice of her life.

Why did you choose journalism as a career?
I didn’t set out to actively choose journalism; I almost stumbled into it. My love of radio straight out of school set me up for a decade working as a radio producer and then news presenter, before telling stories with pictures became my new buzz. Throw in my passion for film, and I pretty much found my dream job. Today, almost 15 years later, it still is.

What has been your career high to date?
There have been several and all for different reasons. But being asked by Warner Bros International on the suggestion of Sir Peter Jackson’s team to co-host the live global broadcast of the red carpet premiere of The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies on Leicester Square in London was the pinnacle. My job was to greet and interview each of the film’s many stars as they alighted from their limos and took to the carpet for the first time, welcomed by screams and cheers from the thousands of fans flanking the festivities. That event was streamed live to over 80 countries around the world.

What do you love about working in TV?
Everything. I love that every single day of the year we start with a whole hour of empty television to fill by 6 pm for the nightly news broadcast. We have crammed it to the brim with the latest breaking, the interesting, the informative and the entertaining news of the world. I also love that I'm a cog in the awesome newsroom machine. That I can’t do my job without my incredibly talented colleagues doing theirs. Producers, camera operators, graphics gurus, editors, presenters, that come together at the end of the day with a full hour of programming, it's very satisfying.

Media has become so fragmented, what are the biggest challenges the industry faces?
Exactly that; fragmentation and the demands from different platforms. The insatiable news monster needs feeding across radio, TV and digital, and each have their own sets of requirements. We work hard to stay relevant, to serve the needs of our different audiences, and still find the heartbeat in every story we tell. Monetizing this new business model is a continuous challenge, meantime all of us work twice as hard producing content for those 24/7 deadlines.

What’s a typical working day for you?
I'm blessed I never really have a typical day - how lucky am I? Some days I start in a dark cinema; others live on air reviewing films on the TV3 AM Show, other days begin in the Koru lounge before boarding a flight. I spend several months of the year travelling to gather content for my Newshub entertainment stories, everywhere from Sydney to L.A to Tokyo and London; its an incredibly rewarding job, which most of the time makes my heart sing. There are so many hardworking, talented and inspiring creatives that work in the film industry, to get the opportunity to sit down and talk with them about their work is an enormous privilege and ridiculously rewarding.

You interview celebrities for a living, do you get nervous?
Sometimes I still do. I’ve been at it for 14 years now and the nerves are mostly under control. Most of my “performance anxiety” comes from the need to get a good interview in a very short space of time. Most film junket interview slots today are under five minutes long - it's like speed dating at it’s worst.

What was your most memorable interview?
There are several, however sitting down with Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg together was certainly one of them. I also found myself entirely undone by Angelina Jolie, who was indeed remarkable and unnervingly enriching to engage with. But there has been one man who embodied such genuine warmth and humanity and whose incredible talent and inimitable humour I miss almost on a daily basis and that’s Robin Williams. A wonderful man, generous to interview - he's an enormous loss.

Rodger's beauty collection.

Beauty and wellness

What does beauty mean to you?
It means radiating a healthy happiness. And that glow, which thanks to the gift of makeup, good skincare and the perfect outfit I look forward to wearing.

What is your philosophy when it comes to ageing?
A simple one, you can't stop it, so just embrace it. If I thought my forties were my “I don’t give a flying f**k anymore,” decade, then turning 50 this year only amplified that philosophy. I have become more and more comfortable in my skin the older I get, regardless of how much that skin might be starting to sag in places, that I don’t want it to. I’ve earned every single one of my wrinkles and laughter lines. My scar-tissue reminds me of everything I’ve survived, and it makes me stronger.

What will be in your beauty bag this summer?
Sunscreen. Dermalogica Protection50 Sport for the body, and for the face, Clarins Control Sunscreen Control Cream SPF30 Face.

What’s your one must-have makeup buy?
My lipstick addiction (I never leave the house without lipstick) coupled with having to fly long-haul regularly means I have to battle the constant challenge of dry lips. I use Dermalogica Nightly Lip Treatment, which works on the lines around my lips and once in flight, I top up with Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.

Best beauty tip?
Smile, always. And cleanse cleanse cleanse. I have to wear quite a heavy studio make-up when I am on-camera, which makes cleansing and regularly exfoliating a huge priority for me. I can't survive without my daily Dermalogica Daily Super-Foliant. It's heavy-duty enough to provide the thorough cleanse I need, but light enough for daily use without robbing my skin of the moisture it needs.

Rodger's beauty must haves and bedside table.

What’s your signature scent?
I recently, accidentally discovered. Zadig & Voltaire for her, and the men's, Zadig & Voltaire for him (for my fiancé), is without question the best scent I’ve splashed on my skin and his for years and the bottles are also gorgeous.

How do you stay balanced and happy?
I’m not sure I do. The idea of life “balance” almost seems as unobtainable as eternal youth. I got some great advice a few years ago from Cindy Crawford (an inspirational woman). I asked her during an interview how she managed to balance life as a mother, a working model and a successful businesswoman. She believes she can have everything, but just not all at the same time, which really resonated with me.
I believe there is always an opportunity cost in your choices and while I know I can do whatever I set out to do (within reason) and explore happiness and contentment in many different ways, sometimes the best way to feel truly satisfied is to take pride in the journey as well as the destination.

What about fitness, what’s your secret to looking so good?
I wish “fitness” was a word I could use to describe even the smallest portion of my wellbeing mantra. I'm allergic to the gym; I'm an undisciplined runner and a fair-weather walker. However, I have been blessed with a fair amount of natural energy which I wish would translate to a love of exercise. The fact remains I have turned 50 and I know I can no longer rely on good genes and pure luck to stay healthy. My biggest resolution for 2018 is to gently introduce exercise as part of my weekly routine - wish me luck.

What advice would you give other busy working mothers?
The most significant thing I've learned in my five years of unexpected motherhood is to remember to forgive myself and to cut myself some slack. The most important thing about being there for your family is being present. When you're constantly exhausted and stressed, you're no use to anyone - so take time out for yourself, close your eyes and breathe. Do something just for you, whatever that may be. It will be the best thing for you and those who love you and need you. Also learn to use the important word 'NO'. It’s a short word, but a very empowering one.

Some of Rodger's most treasured possessions, a snapshot of her shoe collection and her Marc Jabcob's handbag.

Fashion

Who is your fashion icon?
Audrey Hepburn will always personify grace, style and beauty; I adore that in a woman. I still count on Cate Blanchett to nail every single red carpet look, effortlessly. She can pull off an edgy fashion look teamed with perfectly understated hair and make-up and still somehow manages to bring the drama.

What is the one fashion item you will be buying this summer?
I had to own Kate Sylvester's light-weight summer tiger bomber jacket in soft pink. It will be perfect to carry on those balmy summer nights and looks just as fabulous over a beach dress, as it does with jeans and heels.

Who are your favourite local and international fashion designers?
Here in New Zealand, Kate Sylvester, Tanya Carlson, Juliette Hogan, Zambesi, Trelise Cooper, Kathryn Wilson, Chaos & Harmony. Internatiallonaly Sass & Bide, Converse, G-Star Raw, Tom Ford, Dior, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Tiffany&Co.

What handbag will you carry this summer?
A Marc Jacobs black recruit shoulder satchel. Worn across my body it's small enough not to burden me, yet big enough to fit my essentials and it leaves both hands free.

What is your fashion weakness?
It's such a cliche, but it just has to be shoes.

Home

How would you describe your home?
Chaotic! And full of sunshine.

Where did you get your inspiration for your home?
From my crazy life really. I need a peaceful calm, unobtrusive palate upon which to project my passions. So the walls will always be a warm, soft white with grey here and there for feature walls and furnishings, which leaves room for bolts of colour in the cushions, throws, the prints on the wall, photos in frames and of course for my disturbing collection of Star Wars and film memorabilia.

What makes a great interior?
One that reflects your life, loves and the memories you've created.

What do you always have on your bedside table?
My alarm clock, a reading light, my reading glasses and the entire collection of Hairy MacLary books for my son Max.

What is your favourite room and why?
Our living room. Our much loved and much used Bo Concept corner sofa begs you to collapse on it, while the sun streams in all day long.

What are your most treasured possessions?
This is hard to narrow down. My original French cinema poster from the Cannes Film Festival release of “My Own Private Idaho” is up there, as is the gorgeous Tom Dixon “Bash” brass bowl I recently got from close friends for my 50th birthday. My photograph of Tom Waits taken by my dear friend and incredibly gifted New Zealand photographer Russ Flatt is also very precious to me. But the array of 1960‘s photographs I have around my home including those of my gorgeous late mother Pauline, would most certainly have to be the first things I would grab if the house was on fire.

Photography Keryn Sweeney
Makeup by Yin for MAC Cosmetics.