{{Short description|Television presenter and broadcast journalist}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = John Pulu | education = Bachelor of communication studies, Auckland University of Technology | occupation = Broadcast journalist, television presenter, reporter, and director, community advocate | years_active = 2010–present | known_for = Televsion presenter and reporter for ''Tagata Pasifika'' }}
'''John Pulu''' is a New Zealand television presenter, broadcast journalist, reporter, and director, best known for his work on the TVNZ Pacific current affairs programme Tagata Pasifika.
== Biography == === Early life and education === Pulu is of Tongan and Fijian descent and grew up in Auckland, New Zealand.<ref name="AUT Awardsa">{{cite web |title=Culture and diversity at forefront of AUT media excellence awards |url=https://pmcarchive.aut.ac.nz/pmc-blog/culture-and-diversity-forefront-aut-media-excellence-awards-192.html |website=Pacific Media Centre Blog |date=26 March 2010 |quote=Pulu says that coming from South Auckland, which has always been portrayed with bad criticisms, he wanted to change that and adopt through his work a celebration of the “beautiful cultures” such as Tonga. |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> Pulu is from the The Kingdom of Tonga. His family is from the suburb of Kolomotu‘a on the island of Tongatapu, as well as to the suburb of Holopeka within the Ha‘apai islands in Tonga. Additionally, he also has links to the Lau Islands of Fiji.<ref>{{cite episode | title = John Pulu - Owning Our OWN Pasifika Narrative | series = Please Blow My Mind | credits = Will Fleming (Host) | network = Oriana TV | station = Kordia | date = 18 October 2020 | minutes = 60 | language = English | url = https://collections.library.auckland.ac.nz/tv-radio/title/TV_04120_03 | quote = John Pulu graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Communication Studies in Television from AUT University and joined the Tagata Pasifika team in 2010. While still at high school, John was inspired to become a journalist through work experience on Tagata Pasifika. John has always been interested in Pacific issues and saw there was a lack of Pacific people working in the industry. “I am very honoured to represent Pasifika people and share our stories”. John is from the Kingdom of Tonga, Kolomotu‘a, Tongatapu and Holopeka, Ha‘apai with ties to Lau in the Fiji Islands. }}</ref>
While attending high school, he interned for ''Tagata Pasifika'', which motivated him to pursue a professional career in media.<ref name="AUT Profile">{{cite web |title=John Pulu |url=https://pmcarchive.aut.ac.nz/profile/john-pulu.html |website=Pacific Media Centre Archive |publisher=Auckland University of Technology |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref>
He enrolled at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), where he completed a Bachelor of Communication Studies with a major in television.<ref name="AUT Awardsd">{{cite web |title=Culture and diversity at forefront of AUT media excellence awards |url=https://pmcarchive.aut.ac.nz/pmc-blog/culture-and-diversity-forefront-aut-media-excellence-awards-192.html |website=Pacific Media Centre Blog |date=26 March 2010 |quote=...graduating with a Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in television... |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> His studies included practical training across various production disciplines, including camera operation, directing, and presenting. During his undergraduate studies, he produced the short cultural documentaries ''The Modern Afo of Tonga'' and ''Kava Commune'',<ref name="AUT Awardsc">{{cite web |title=Culture and diversity at forefront of AUT media excellence awards |url=https://pmcarchive.aut.ac.nz/pmc-blog/culture-and-diversity-forefront-aut-media-excellence-awards-192.html |website=Pacific Media Centre Blog |date=26 March 2010 |quote=Pulu produced documentaries titled The Modern Afo of Tonga and Kava Commune while working with TNews during his studies. |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> the latter exploring the customs of traditional Tongan kava ceremonies within New Zealand.<ref name="AUT Profile" /><ref name="AUT Awardsb">{{cite web |title=Culture and diversity at forefront of AUT media excellence awards |url=https://pmcarchive.aut.ac.nz/pmc-blog/culture-and-diversity-forefront-aut-media-excellence-awards-192.html |website=Pacific Media Centre Blog |date=26 March 2010 |quote=With a “real passion to share the rich history” of his Pacific culture, John Pulu has been awarded the Spasifik Prize and Storyboard Award for diversity journalism. At the annual School of Communication awards evening at AUT University, Pulu was presented with the prize by the deputy editor for Spasifik magazine, Qiane Corfield-Matata. “It’s the best feeling to know that your hard work has been acknowledged and recognised by people from the industry,” says Pulu...graduating with a Bachelor of Communication Studies majoring in television... |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> During his final year, he received an AUT and Pacific Islands Media Association scholarship. He graduated in 2010, receiving both the Spasifik Magazine prize and the Pacific Media Centre Storyboard Award for diversity journalism.<ref name="AUT Profile" /><ref name="AUT Awardse">{{cite web |title=Culture and diversity at forefront of AUT media excellence awards |url=https://pmcarchive.aut.ac.nz/pmc-blog/culture-and-diversity-forefront-aut-media-excellence-awards-192.html |website=Pacific Media Centre Blog |date=26 March 2010 |quote=With a “real passion to share the rich history” of his Pacific culture, John Pulu has been awarded the Spasifik Prize and Storyboard Award for diversity journalism. At the annual School of Communication awards evening at AUT University, Pulu was presented with the prize by the deputy editor for Spasifik magazine, Qiane Corfield-Matata. “It’s the best feeling to know that your hard work has been acknowledged and recognised by people from the industry,” says Pulu|access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref>
He graduated in 2010.<ref name="AUT Profile" /><ref name="PMN Staff Profile">{{cite web |title=About us |url=https://pmn.co.nz/about-us |website=PMN News |publisher=Pacific Media Network |quote=John Pulu PMN Tonga Announcer |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> After completing his degree, he transitioned into professional television journalism, securing a permanent role as a director and reporter for Tagata Pasifika.<ref name="AUT Profile" />
=== Career === Following his graduation, Pulu joined SunPix, the production company responsible for broadcasting ''Tagata Pasifika''.<ref name="PMN 531pi Tonga">{{cite web |title=531 PI |url=https://pmn.co.nz/radio-stations/531-pi |website=PMN News |publisher=Pacific Media Network |quote=John Pulu PMN Tonga Announcer |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="PMN Sports Article 2026">{{cite web |title=United States pathway opens for Tongan youth through new American football programme |url=https://pmn.co.nz/read/sports/us-pathway-opens-for-tongan-youth-through-new-american-football-programme |website=PMN News |quote=Speaking with John Pulu on PMN Tonga... |publisher=Pacific Media Network |date=27 May 2026 |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="Sunpix Awards 2023">{{cite web |title=Sunpix Awards 2023: Celebrating Pacific excellence and service to Aotearoa |url=https://pmn.co.nz/read/news/sunpix-awards-2023-celebrating-the-service-of-twelve-pacific-organisations-and-people |website=PMN News |quote=Tagata Pasifika were the hosts and MCs for the night, with Marama T-Pole and John Pulu opening the formalities for the eighth Sunpix awards held at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau. |publisher=Pacific Media Network |date=15 November 2023 |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> He began working as a reporter for the programme, covering issues affecting Pacific communities both within New Zealand and across the broader Pacific region.<ref name="AUT Profile" /><ref name="TP Plus Author">{{cite web |title=Read John Pulu's Latest Articles At TP+ |url=https://tpplus.co.nz/author/john-pulu/ |website=TP+ |publisher=Tagata Pasifika |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> His broadcast portfolio includes coverage of community governance, cultural preservation, regional climate issues, and language initiatives.<ref name="Wire2025">{{cite web |title=PODCAST: John Pulu - Pasifika Wire |url=https://www.pasifikawire.com/2025/09/08/podcast-john-pulu/ |website=Pasifika Wire |date=8 September 2025 |quote=He is one of the most recognised faces in Pasifika media across the country and the Pacific region, a Master of Ceremony, Community Advocate, Broadcast Journalist, John Pulu shares his journey from a seasoned reporter fronting the longest serving popular current affairs show on television, Tagata Pasifika. John shares his passion and love of bringing Pacific People together, through language and culture whether he is on TV, radio, through his work in governance and working for his beloved Tonga and the community. |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> Over his tenure, he transitioned into the role of studio co-presenter alongside Marama T-Pole.
Pulu serves as a master of ceremonies for Pacific diaspora cultural events, awards nights, and community functions throughout New Zealand.<ref name="Wire2025" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pulu, John}} Category:Living people Category:Auckland University of Technology alumni Category:New Zealand television presenters Category:New Zealand television journalists