Neil Waka

{{Short description|New Zealand broadcaster and journalist}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2014}}

Neil Waka is a New Zealand broadcaster and journalist.{{Cite web |last=Screen |first=NZ On |title=Neil Waka {{!}} NZ On Screen |url=https://www.nzonscreen.com/profile/neil-waka |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=www.nzonscreen.com |language=en}} After graduating from Rotorua Boys' High School,[https://www.rbhs.school.nz/our-school/school-identity/nga-raukura-i-te-ao--hall-of-fame/ Ngā Raukura i te Ao - Hall of Fame]. Rotorua Boys' High School. rbhs.school.nz official site. he began his media career in radio as a news and current affairs journalist before moving into television. Waka helped establish and was the first presenter in New Zealand of TV3s Nightline presenting and reporting for Nightline for three years. Waka also presented his own sports show for three years, Wynns Sport Sunday while also hosting New Zealand’s first NBA show before becoming the official weekend news reader. He presented multiple programmes at TV3 including current affairs show Inside New Zealand and was the official news presenter and reporter trainer for four years. In 2000 Waka joined the TVNZ breakfast team with Mike Hoskins and Kate Hawkesby as news reader, becoming the Late News presenter the following year, before joining Judy Bailey at 6pm News 12 months later, staying there for five years. Waka also developed and presented the first weekday 4:30pm news bulletins on ONE News for TVNZ, for almost two years from 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10472436|title=4.30pm slot pulls in viewers|last=McNaughton |first=Maggie |date=27 October 2007|work=The New Zealand Herald |accessdate=27 February 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2278144/Taxis-and-booze-cut-as-TVNZ-wields-axe|title=Taxis and booze cut as TVNZ wields axe |last=Francis|first=Clio|date=20 March 2009|work=The Dominion Post |accessdate=27 February 2010}}

In 2010 Waka resigned from his television roles and moved into public relations.{{Cite web |last=McConnell |first=Glenn |date=2020-07-11 |title=Newsreader Neil Waka is returning to television after 10 years off-screen |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300054738/newsreader-neil-waka-is-returning-to-television-after-10-years-offscreen |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Stuff |language=en}} He took on a corporate role with global organisation General Motors Holden New Zealand for five years before moving to Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand as head of corporate affairs for New Zealand and Fiji.

Waka returned to New Zealand television as a guest sports news presenter for Newshub's AM Show prior to Christmas 2019, and the following year he took a broadcasting role at Māori Television presenting the current affair programme Te Ao Tapatahi, which he held until December 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-27 |title=TV news show cut - Neil Waka's farewell; Braunias: The 5 best books to read this summer |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider-axe-falls-on-neil-wakas-midday-news-show-government-softens-on-fair-digital-news-bargaining-bill-frontrunners-to-replace-kim-hill-at-rnz/LHWWEDU6FZAGNCROPD5FDR2B4U/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}