Broadcaster, author and mental health advocate

Overview

Hayley Holt is one of New Zealand's most familiar faces — a former professional snowboarder and ballroom dancer, former 1 News sports presenter, and the author of bestselling memoir Second Chances. Her honest storytelling on addiction, recovery, baby loss and motherhood has made her a trusted speaker on resilience, mental wellbeing and finding your way back when life falls apart.

Who is Hayley Holt? Hayley grew up in Auckland, started ballroom and Latin dancing at the age of seven and competed internationally before switching to professional snowboarding. She has spent more than 20 years on NZ television — Dancing with the Stars (and Strictly Come Dancing in the UK), The Crowd Goes Wild, More FM, TVNZ Breakfast (2018–2020) and 1 News at 6pm sports (2020–2024). She left TVNZ at the end of 2024. She has been sober for more than a decade after years of struggling with alcohol, has been diagnosed with ADHD, and lost a son in 2020 before the births of her two younger boys.

Career Highlights • 1 News at 6pm sports presenter, 2020–2024 • Co-host of TVNZ Breakfast, 2018–2020 • Reporter and presenter on The Crowd Goes Wild for eight years • Professional snowboarder and competitive ballroom dancer • Author of bestselling memoir Second Chances: Facing My Demons and Finding a Better Me (HarperCollins, 2023) • More than 10 years sober and an ambassador for No Beers? Who Cares!

Key Speaking Themes • Sobriety, addiction and recovery • Mental health, ADHD and neurodiversity • Baby loss, grief and motherhood • Resilience and second chances • Women in media and reinvention

What Your Audience Will Gain Hayley is warm, brave and disarmingly honest. Audiences leave with a different relationship to vulnerability, practical insight into recovery and resilience, and a reminder that the people in the spotlight are carrying things too.

Ideal For • Women in business and women in leadership events • Wellbeing and mental health forums • Media, sport and broadcast industry events • Awards nights and gala dinners • Schools and youth audiences (with age-appropriate framing)

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Hayley Holt speak about? Sobriety, addiction recovery, mental health, baby loss, motherhood, resilience and second chances.

What is Hayley Holt's book? Second Chances: Facing My Demons and Finding a Better Me (HarperCollins, 2023) — her memoir on alcoholism, recovery, grief and becoming a mum.

Where does Hayley Holt currently work? Hayley left TVNZ at the end of 2024 and is now focused on writing, speaking and advocacy work alongside motherhood.

What is Hayley Holt's sporting background? Competitive ballroom dancing from age seven (ranked 19th at Blackpool Rising Star), professional snowboarding, and contestant and judge on Dancing with the Stars NZ.

Has Hayley Holt spoken about ADHD? Yes. Hayley has been open about her ADHD diagnosis and incorporates neurodiversity into her speaking work.

Is Hayley Holt available for keynotes and MC roles? Yes. Hayley is in demand for keynotes, panels and event MC roles across NZ, particularly for women's, wellbeing and media-focused audiences.