Sean Plunket


Oliver Sean Plunket is a New Zealand broadcast journalist.

Early life

Plunket was born in Christchurch, the son of journalist Patrick Plunket. He was educated at Plimmerton Primary School and Nelson College from 1980 to 1982, where he was a member of the 1st XV rugby union team in 1981 and 1982. He went on to study at the Wellington Polytechnic School of Journalism.

Broadcasting career

Plunket's early positions in broadcasting and journalism included a brief stint as a copywriter at Radio Windy, five years at Independent Radio News, a short spell as a reporter for Radio New Zealand, three years as a political reporter on TV3, working as a presenter–reporter on TVNZ's Fair Go and Under Investigation programmes, and then further roles at TV3 on 20/20 and as senior political reporter.
From 1997 to 2010, he was one of two breakfast hosts of Morning Report between 6 am and 9 am weekdays on Radio New Zealand National. His regular co-host was Geoff Robinson. In 2009, Plunket lost a dispute with his employer, Radio New Zealand, who he took to the Employment Relations Authority. Plunket announced his resignation from Radio New Zealand in June 2010 and his last day on Morning Report was 8 September 2010.
From January 2011 to December 2012 he presented Sean Plunket Mornings on the Wellington branch of Newstalk ZB.
Starting in April 2013 Plunket began hosting the 9 am–midday weekday slot on Radio Live, now known as MagicTalk at 12-4PM slot since December 2015, taking over from Michael Laws.. Up until 2014, he wrote a weekly column for The Dominion Post.
In 2017, Plunket became director of communications for The Opportunities Party, which was established by economist Gareth Morgan.

Awards

Plunket has been a recipient of Qantas Media Awards in radio and television categories, the New Zealand Radio Awards and the 2001 European Union Journalist Award.