Patrick Gower

Patrick Gower
Born 1976/1977 (age 40–41)[1]
New Plymouth
Residence Wellington
Nationality New Zealand
Education Francis Douglas Memorial College
Alma mater BA Hons from Victoria University of Wellington
Occupation Political journalist
Employer Newshub
Children 2
Website Newshub Profile Page

Patrick Gower (born 1976/1977) is a New Zealand journalist and National Correspondent for Newshub (formerly called 3 News). Prior to his current role he was Newshub's political editor.

Early life

Gower grew up in New Plymouth where his father was a fitter and turner at a power station, and his mother was a doctor's receptionist.[2] He had a Roman Catholic upbringing and schooling, having attended St Joseph's Catholic School and Francis Douglas Memorial College.[2]

He has a BA with honours in politics from Victoria University of Wellington, choosing the university because it was near Parliament. While he attended Victoria University he got involved in Salient magazine.[3] After finishing his politics degree, he studied journalism at Auckland University of Technology.[2]

Journalism career

Gower started his journalism career working the graveyard shift (6pm–1:30am) at The New Zealand Herald,[2][4] later becoming police reporter. He subsequently moved overseas and worked at Jane's Police Review.[2] Once back in New Zealand he worked again at the Herald, covering politics and working under Audrey Young.[2]

Later he made the move to television journalism and began working at 3 News, where he was initially a political reporter. He has said that the transition involved a big change in reporting styles:

He took over as political editor of 3 News from Duncan Garner in November 2012.[5]

Despite controversy about political bias on social networking sites, Gower claims to be a non-voter on the grounds of impartiality, stating:[6]

In 2018, after five years as Newshub's political editor, he shifted roles to became its National Correspondent.[7]

Comical skit in library

In December 2014, a clip of Gower swearing on what appeared to be live television went viral. In the video, a library-goer stands up and says, "This is a fucking library!", to which Gower replies, "This is the fuckin' news." Gower later tweeted "Thug Life", and an edited "Thug Life" remix of the video later went viral.[8] The incident received praise from viewers, who considered it comical and praised Gower's unexpected and deadpan delivery.[9] The incident was actually part of a law school revue skit.[10]

Interview with Lauren Southern & Stefan Molyneux

On the 3rd of August 2018 Gower conducted an interview with Conservative Canadian speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux, who had planned to speak at a hired venue that evening before the venue withdrew. The full video of the interview was released.[11]

Gower responded to criticism with an opinion piece titled "I was not 'destroyed' by Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux".[12]

Personal life

Gower lives in Wellington[1] and has two children.[13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Daniell, Sarah (22 November 2012). "Twelve Questions with Patrick Gower". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Du Fresne, Karl. "Gower Power". New Zealand Listener. pp. 22–26. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  3. 1 2 McCarthy, Molly & Blake-Kelly, Stella (29 July 2013). "An Hour With Gower". Salient magazine. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Gower power". The New Zealand Listener. 9 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Patrick Gower profile at". LinkedIn. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  6. ↑ Gavin Bertram (9 September 2014). "Asking the Right Questions: Patrick Gower". The Pantograph Punch.
  7. ↑ "Patrick Gower to Take on National Correspondent Role in 2018 | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
  8. ↑ "Reporter's F-Bomb Retort Goes Viral, Reminds Us It Really is All About "Location, Location, Location"". Independent Journal Review. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  9. ↑ "Patrick f**king Gower talks to Jono and Ben about living that thug life". www.therock.net.nz. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  10. ↑ "Patrick Gower's 'thug life' goes viral". Stuff. 22 December 2014.
  11. ↑ "Exclusive: Patrick Gower takes on Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux". Newshub. 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
  12. ↑ "Patrick Gower: I was not 'destroyed' by Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux". Newshub. 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
  13. ↑ Howie, Cherie (28 September 2014). "Gower gets one in the eye over election". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
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