MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS

Hamish McKay

Award-Winning Broadcaster, Rugby Commentator & In-Demand MC

Hamish McKay is one of New Zealand's most recognisable broadcasters — TV3's long-serving sports anchor, lead commentator at two Rugby World Cups, host of Rural Exchange and a five-time winner of NZ's Best on the Box TV Sports Presenter award. Today he's a sought-after MC, conference host and keynote speaker.

Who is Hamish McKay?

A proud Manawatū man and Palmerston North Boys' High School old boy, Hamish rose through Palmerston North's pioneering 2XS FM before becoming TV3's lead sports anchor and rugby editor. He's covered more than 150 first-class rugby matches, including over 80 All Blacks tests and two Rugby World Cups.

Career Highlights

  • Lead commentator at the 2007 and 2011 Rugby World Cup for the TV3 network

  • 10 years as TV3 (later Newshub) Sports Anchor and Rugby Editor

  • Five-time winner of NZ's "Best on the Box" TV Sports Presenter award

  • Long-time host of the rural radio show REX Rural Exchange

  • Cult fame as "McKay'ver" on TV3's Pulp Sport

  • Cameo on 7 Days and a regular face across NZ sports television

  • Property sales specialist and auctioneer with Tremains Real Estate

  • Charity auctioneer for events across New Zealand

Key Speaking Themes

  • Rugby, the All Blacks and the great moments of NZ sport

  • The rural-urban divide and the modern farming voice

  • Resilience, reinvention and the "second chance" keynote

  • Men's wellbeing, midlife wake-up calls and asking for help

  • MC and conference hosting with humour and craft

What Your Audience Will Gain

A polished, broadcast-standard MC who knows how to read a room and run a programme to the second — and, when invited to deliver a keynote, an unusually honest "second chance" story about the health crisis that nearly cost him everything. Equal parts professional craft and personal courage.

Ideal For

  • Conference MC and awards night hosting

  • Rugby, sports and sponsor events

  • Rural, agricultural and primary-industry forums

  • Resilience, men's wellbeing and mental health events

  • Charity fundraisers and auctioneer engagements

Frequently Asked Questions about Hamish McKay

What does Hamish McKay speak about? Rugby and broadcasting yarns, rural NZ, resilience and his personal "second chance" health story — plus a long career of MC and conference-hosting work.

What is Hamish McKay best known for? A decade as TV3's lead sports anchor, commentating two Rugby World Cups, and his cameo as "McKay'ver" on Pulp Sport.

Where is Hamish McKay from? He was raised in the Manawatū and is an old boy of Palmerston North Boys' High School.

Does Hamish McKay still commentate rugby? Yes — he still picks up occasional rugby commentary alongside his MC, property and rural broadcasting work.

What is Hamish McKay's "Second Chance" keynote? An unflinching personal keynote about a long-running health crisis, the wake-up call that turned it around and what he learned — particularly for men who don't talk about how they're doing.

Is Hamish McKay available as an MC across NZ? Yes. Hamish is regularly booked as a conference MC, awards host and charity auctioneer nationwide.