Ka kite former CAMA chair, Jo Holsted

This month, Jo stepped down not only from her role as Community Liaison at Planet FM but also from the role of CAMA Chair. CAMA took the opportunity to undertake an exit interview with the outgoing executive member.

1. Tell us about yourself

I’m a Wellington baby, but I moved to Auckland at 18 to pursue a Bachelor of Communications. Why? Don’t know. I majored in Radio without considering that most jobs were in commercial radio, and I had zero interest in that. A bit of travel and ECE teaching later, I wound up back In Tāmaki Makaurau and managed to weasel my way into a role at Planet FM, where I have embedded myself for thirteen years.

2. Can you give us an overview of your role over those thirteen years?

I was hired as a Technical Producer initially, and I don’t mind telling you my first thoughts upon getting the role were “WHAT IS THIS PLACE?” Then I fell in love with the people, big time, and after taking a year of maternity leave in 2015 slunk back in wearing the Community Laision hat. I also had the privilege of serving as CAMA Chair from 2020-24.

4. What’s something different or unusual about yourself that people might not know?

When the latest census results came out it was announced that “the average New Zealander is a 38y/o Pākeha woman”. Sound familiar? Also, I recently had to put a sticky plaster on my face (long story) and no one even noticed because the plaster was the same colour as me. But something “different” you ask? I spent a few months in New York and got a job babysitting for Bob Dylan’s bassist Tony while they were on tour.