"Overall, it would be a great thing if it happened," smiles Vanessa, who is a sign language interpreter. Marcus Lush has found that the world's his oyster in Bluff. But 2016 has a whole new set of challenges in store. Bernard Hickey talks with Marcus Lush on Radio Live at 6.50 am about family trusts, more Euro drama and another debt-funded disaster "She had very firm views about things, but also, somewhat contradictorily, she was from that generation where it wasn't the thing to be too outspoken or too public. Marcus Lush moved to Southland in 2002 to host the breakfast show on Foveaux FM, but left the station in 2004, and in 2005 began presenting an evening talkback programme on the newly established Radio Live. So, how much is Marcus Lush worth at the age of 57 years old? Marcus Lush. Chris Schulz reports in this weeks edition of Stocktake. While we've seen a number of entertainers turn to politics over the years, Marcus (who is a current Invercargill city councillor) hadn't considered the top job until he was encouraged by other town mayors. 0. If you want something done, ask a busy person, he tells me. It's a conversation they'll revisit after this baby is born, discussing how well they'd cope with three or more as Marcus admits he's only got a few more years on the clock. It's cheesy, but true. "Write that in and that'll get them. Marcus Lush in front of his Bluff home (Photo supplied, additional design Archi Banal), Im sitting at the dining table in his coastal Bluff home, against the backdrop of crashing waves and wild wind. "I did know as soon as I met her that she was very special. It's a job he has done before, and as he begins to remember what it's like to work nights on air, it's obvious that it gives him a thrill. In December 2008 Lush began work on a new television series, South, in which he explores Southland and Otago. When the popular Newstalk ZB broadcaster moved to Southland not for a radio job, but more for solace after simply "getting sick of Auckland" he had no idea that 20 years down the track, he'd be putting his hat in the ring to be Invercargill's next mayor. Marcus Lush (born July 1965) is a television and radio presenter in New Zealand. Marcus Lush in front of his Bluff home (Photo supplied, additional design Archi Banal) The broadcaster says his campaign to replace Tim Shadbolt hinges on substance rather than profile -. He made his first footsteps into television in the 1990s as a reporter co-presenting TV2's Newsnight alongside Simon Dallow and Alison Mau, but it was a 2003 episode of travel show, Intrepid Journeys, that set him on a new broadcasting path. And to thousands of loyal listeners hes the late night ZB host thats happy to chat about anything (and who occasionally goes viral for tackling questionable views from his callers). "And if I am, then I think Vanessa will be my secret weapon. Lush was a candidate in the 2021 Invercargill City Council by-election caused by the resignation of deputy mayor Toni Biddle. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air. I think what mayors can do is that they can drive projects, he says. They've just spent the morning putting up campaign posters with sons Tracker, 8, and Denver, 6. This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. South went to air in August 2009. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. It's magic when you finish, and you think, 'Wow, we learnt so much, we had these laughs.' "And a ballroom perhaps? That will be a huge challenge, but that will be exciting. Lush was raised largely in Auckland, the fourth son of a printer and a speech therapist. He won't be hanging up his microphone though and plans to continue hosting his top-rating nightly talkback show on Newstalk ZB. "I decided to move down here in 2002 because I'd never worked anywhere but Auckland and John Banks had just become mayor, funnily enough. Prominent broadcaster Marcus Lush will contest the Invercargill mayoralty. Becoming a dad in his late forties has also softened Marcus, who admits he was at the stage where he would have quite happily not had children. It's paradise.". Marcus Lush, one of New Zealands favourite broadcasters takes us on a personal journey of exploration, firstly through the bottom of the South Island in South, then through to the top of the North Island in North. In fact, he thinks holding both would be a good thing for Southland. She is Bluff's greatest cooker of seafood. Marcus Lush and Sir Tim Shadbolt after Lush was sworn in as a councillor at the Invercargill City Council in 2021. A photo of. It's the only nationwide show broadcast out of Southland. With war threatening Iraq, it was an interesting time to be in the Muslim world, particularly in Egypt which is so dependent on tourism. They first lived together at the Piha campground, then Vanessa made the move down to Bluff before Tracker was born. For more info please see our privacy policy. Then, in 2021, he successfully ran for Invercargill City Council. "Before her death, she wasn't aware I would be running for mayor and I imagine if she knew, she would have had some fairly strong views about it.". At the age of 24, he went on to take over the graveyard talkback shift on 1ZB. Lush's ZM programme was axed in 2001 when the 91ZM Wellington breakfast show hosted by Polly and Grant took over. one candidate at a recent mayoral debate to promise they wouldnt be a part-time mayor, prompting some murmurs from the crowd. "The hunches I've followed have all panned out to be the right ones. Part of his plan to ensure a surge in visitors is to make the city more vibrant. Lush visited a restaurant in Auckland which was later named as place of interest. Were competing against Queenstown and Dunedin and we havent got a steepest street., expressed concern about the potential price tag. In fact, he says his partner of 13 years met people in Invercargill and Bluff a lot more quickly than he did. "His own artistic interests are burgeoning, too, on the wide and windswept southern shores. "I felt pressure to stand good pressure though," he reveals. meaning of boo boo in a relationship Search. There have been no official polls of the Invercargill race, but Lush is quietly confident hes near the top of the pack, citing a recent self-selecting Stuff survey as evidence (though hes fully aware its not scientific). Remember people died fighting for democracy. It's cheesy, but true. Even if he wins the mayoral chains, he says hell be continuing on the 8pm to midnight talkback shift, which he broadcasts nationwide from an Invercargill studio. Weve really got to start getting stuff. I did have a run-in with him once because I mentioned his kids on TV, and he came up to the studio and really ripped into me, but we resolved it. "We're quite lucky because we've got quite a few quirks that we can't imagine anybody else would be into," grins Marcus. before talk turned to the demise of Tupperware. At 57 years old, Marcus Lush height not available right now. Follow our politics podcast Gone By Lunchtime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast provider. Progress results show Mr Lush has been the successful candidate with 7003 votes out of the 13,991 votes which have been counted thus far. Becoming a dad in his late 40s has also softened Marcus, who admits he was at the stage where he would have quite happily not had children. "But Vanessa said, 'Let's have children nothing will change.' He'd had partners before who already had children and, in some cases, he felt like somewhat of a parent to them, but having his own has been a completely different kettle of fish. Devoted father Marcus Lushs little angel is a chip off the old block. He won't be hanging up his microphone though. "I'm in the process of building a shed in the garden!" "The most exciting thing about TV is being with someone different and coming into their life for a while, whether it's a guy who farms and sings in the Maniototo or an 80-year-old camel trader in Egypt. His face lights up at the prospect of seeing happy kids running up and down slides and suggests a public naming contest could be held. I'm not stupid. "I'm a bit shy. He said much of the focus of late had been on things such as Shadbolts clash with his own council over a rental car, and protesting farmers. I just had a lot of space left in the coal shed and I thought 'well, let's chuck some art up there'. "She's very open and outgoing. It was going on a pub crawl with Bill Tarmey who played Jack Duckworth on Coronation Street. I feel very settled and contented, and it hasn't always been that way. In 2014 it was announced Lush would come back to ZB and in January 2016 he started his new talkback programme, Marcus Lush Nights, broadcasting nationwide every weeknight on Newstalk ZB from 8pm to midnight. Marcus Lush has found that the world's his oyster in Bluff. "It was tremendous, real boots'n'all travel where you're pushed out of your comfort zone. They're both very humorous and kind. I didn't realise that mayors got together and had that sort of collegial connection, but they said they'd mentor me if I was successful. His all-important Newstalk ZB swipe card. Marcus Lushs income source is mostly from being a successful Broadcaster. Within a short amount of time, everyone falls in love with her," he says with pride. Ive driven to work tonight, sat outside, read all the news. Any council in the country, to have their mayor on air for 20 hours a week with an audience of a quarter of a million people, theyd crawl over broken glass to have that opportunity., Another mayoral hopeful suggested to me that Lush had on several occasions left council meetings early in order to get to the ZB studio in time. And if it does, boy oh boy Ill work my heart out., Lush has three policy priorities. bt sport casting sound but no picture. Do I sound different? It was the most dishonest thing she's ever said to me! Marcus Lush and his family are flourishing down south. In year six, Lush wants the Southland museum to reopen and become the countrys best museum. "You do the math. "Lush says he did not suffer any culture shock swapping little old Bluff and Invercargill for the hustle and bustle of Cairo, with its 18 million people. A fascinating and entertaining journey full of quirky locals and spectacular scenery. He's got a plan, though. Were in trouble in terms of attracting skilled people.. "Having a partner and a baby has been quite an exercise in selflessness, which I'm probably not the best at, if I'm honest. We've been flat-out campaigning because the kids are really into it and find it quite fun. Answering to no one, he said it was a life spent mostly enjoying his solitude. "We're quite lucky because we've got quite a few quirks that we can't imagine anybody else would be into," grins Marcus. "Mum was a west coaster and quite formidable," he muses. So he began his four-hour broadcast live from State Highway 1, taking listeners along for the ride as he drove back to Bluff to try and find his keys., Live Updates: New Zealand (officially) has its 41st prime minister. Discover Marcus Lush's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Can the rising tide of a taniwha economy lift the boats of all Mori? "No, Lush suffered no culture shock either moving from the big city in the north to Invercargill to work on a community radio station as a breakfast host. Marcus Lush Member of the Invercargill City Council In office 17 February 2021 - 14 October 2022 Preceded by Toni Biddle Personal details Born July 1965 (age 57) Auckland, New Zealand Spouse Vanessa Underwood Occupation Broadcaster Known for Off the Rails: A Love Story, Breakfast with Marcus Lush