Why you might find Jenna Lynch with a jacket over her head
Monday, 1 July 2024
When Jenna Lynch joins Stuff’s ThreeNews bulletin next week, her career will come full circle: Lynch, now Newshub’s political editor, started out her career at Stuff’s Waikato Times.
An internship at the paper in her third year of studies at Wintec earned her a Canon (now Voyager) media award for Student Journalist of the Year and a full-time reporting role, which she left after 18 months to join 3News, now Newshub, in 2014.
In the last decade she has progressed from an entry-level position on the assignments desk to the high-profile one of political editor - but what does she do when she’s not chasing politicians or crossing in live from Parliament?
If you weren't a journalist, what would you be doing and why?
I honestly can’t imagine another career for myself. I’ve always loved storytelling. I think I’d love to be a musician - though I do not possess the talent. Perhaps I’d like to open my own little bookstore/wine bar - don’t know if there’s much of a market for it but I’d have a lovely time sipping away devouring novels.
What's the most memorable story you've ever worked on?
For me, the ones that hold the most raw memories are stories in which people share their most vulnerable moments in an effort try and bring attention to an issue or create change. Lately, I’ve been talking to a lot of people affected by cancer and the courage they have to open up to help others while going through something so tough themselves is so admirable.
Equally in the past, parents who’ve been fighting for treatments for rare disorders their children have, bereaved parents trying to improve mental health services, or whānau who are living in unstable housing. I’m truly grateful to everyone who is brave enough to share those stories.
Where can you usually be found on a Sunday morning?
You’ll likely find me at a playground or duck pond, coffee in hand chasing a toddler.
I have a 2-year-old boy and because my weeks are so busy I really cherish those days with him.
What's something most people don't know about being a TV journalist?
It’s much less glamorous than people imagine! Election campaigns are spent furiously scripting stories on iPhones, crouched on the floors of airports or motels, with jackets over your head trying to create makeshift voice booths. But it’s also the best job in the world.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Reality TV.
What do you think is the most important issue for Kiwis right now?
The cost of everything. No matter your circumstance, there is just so much to pay for. I worry about the strain it’s putting on families and what people are going without.
I think the strain on our health system is also causing a lot of stress for a lot of people.
Describe your dream holiday.
I’m somewhat of an active relaxer, so my dream holiday would be somewhere I can do some museum-hopping, try some delicious food and wine, go for a walk to take in new sights and do a spot of shopping. And sun - I’m not fond of the cold and Wellington winters are tough.