Andrew Alderson - From School Pitch to Sports Mic

Andrew Alderson’s voice is a familiar one on The Mike Hosking Breakfast, where his sports bulletins bring insight to the headlines. As a long-time journalist for Newstalk ZB, The New Zealand Herald and the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, he’s covered major events including five Cricket World Cups, three Commonwealth Games, and three Olympics, which have earned him industry awards.

His path into journalism wasn’t linear. After studying politics, he found his way into media through a volunteer role at Radio Sport in 2002, showing up night after night for the late shift. “You’ve got to seize your opportunities when they come up,” he says. His love for sport, especially cricket, had taken root back in his days at the College, under his first coach, Kevin Morris.

Cricket remains Andrew’s passion and the thread running through his career. He recalls covering Kane Williamson’s maiden first-class century at Eden Park Outer Oval in 2009: “You knew that was the beginning of something special,” he says. It’s moments like that, watching talent and character emerge, that make the job rewarding. From Kane’s quiet focus to Hamish Bond and Eric Murray’s Olympic grit, it’s the human stories behind the scores that Andrew loves to tell.

Andrew’s quick to say his journey wasn’t shaped by one moment but by a mix of opportunities and people who supported him along the way. His parents made it possible to attend Saint Kentigern, where teachers like Richard Park taught him to question the “why” and friends, he still meets for regular nostalgic dinners, grounded him. His advice to his younger self? “Don’t put any limit on your ambition”.

When he’s not chasing stories or calling games, Andrew’s at the family farm, where life slows down. Whether it’s fixing fences with his wife, or teaching the kids how to handle the tractor, it’s this time together he values most and a reminder of what really matters, keeping him connected to the kind of community and values he grew up with.