Petra Bagust is a New Zealand television presenter, radio host, and podcaster best known for co-hosting TVNZ’s Breakfast.
She started on a regional station in Christchurch and now fronts the award-winning podcast Grey Areas.
Petra Bagust Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Petra Bagust |
| Born | 14 April 1972, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Age | 54 years |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Profession | Television presenter, radio host, podcaster, media chaplain |
| Known For | Ice TV, Breakfast, Grey Areas |
| Education | Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury (1995) |
| Spouse | Hamish Wilson (married 2000) |
| Children | Three |
| Net Worth | $4 million (2026) |
Who is Petra Bagust?
Petra Bagust is a New Zealand broadcaster whose screen career began in 1996. She first won attention as one of the irreverent hosts of the youth show Ice TV on TV3.
She co-hosted TVNZ’s Breakfast alongside Corin Dann from 2011 to 2012.
In March 2022, she launched the podcast Grey Areas, which explores growing older in New Zealand. The show has since collected several national podcast awards.
She also works as a media chaplain with the Christian Broadcasting Association.
Her Wikipedia page lists her as a television presenter, radio host, podcaster, and media chaplain.
Beyond the studio, she hosts events as an MC and presents the radio show Sunday Sanctuary. Her broadcasting career now spans 30 years.
Early Life of Petra Bagust
Petra Bagust grew up in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her mother, Judi Bagust, has been a steady source of support throughout her life.
She waited tables in Christchurch before a regional television station hired her. Petra has spoken warmly about her father too.
She credits him with practical lessons, from fixing things around the house to staying calm in an emergency and telling a good story.
She once weighed a career as a painter against a career in television. Her love of art led her to the University of Canterbury.
From there, a local station called Cry TV gave her first break on screen. She finished her degree in 1995.
Petra Bagust Age / Birthday
Petra Bagust is 54 years old as of 2026, born on 14 April 1972. Her zodiac sign is Aries, a sign often linked with energy and boldness.
Now in her fifties, she works as a podcaster, radio host, MC, and media chaplain.
Petra Bagust Ethnicity and Nationality
Petra Bagust is a New Zealander, born and raised in Christchurch. She has talked publicly about her journey learning te reo Māori. Her Christian faith also shapes her work, including her role as a media chaplain.
Petra Bagust Education
Petra Bagust attended the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, where she studied fine arts. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1995.
That degree came one year before her screen debut on Ice TV. While studying, she waited tables, and a regional station soon lured her to Cry TV.
There she hosted a music show and discovered she enjoyed television. Cry TV was her first television job.
Petra Bagust Career
Early Career and Ice TV (1995-2005)
Petra Bagust began her screen career at Cry TV, a regional station in Canterbury. In 1996, she joined the irreverent Ice TV trio on TV3, a role the NZ On Screen profile credits with making her famous.
The youth series made her a familiar face across New Zealand. A sequel, Ice As, followed, and she later fronted the travel show Travel.co.nz.
She hosted the real estate series Hot Property in 2003. In 2005, she teamed up with Oscar Kightley and Nathan Rarere on the game show Snatch Our Booty.
That same year, she presented Sing Like a Superstar, and The Perfect Age followed in 2006. She anchored the live specials Fight for Life in 2001 and 2004.
Live Events and What’s Really in Our Food? (2001-2010)
Live television became a specialty. Petra regularly fronted Christmas in the Park, and she hosted the daily news satire show @Seven.
The factual series What’s Really in Our Food? earned her Qantas Best Presenter nominations in 2009 and 2010.
She counts launching the Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup 2011 among her career highlights.
Breakfast Years (2011-2012)
In 2011, Petra changed networks to present TVNZ’s Breakfast with Corin Dann.
She described that year as the biggest news year in a decade, with the Christchurch earthquake and the Japan tsunami among the stories.
She announced her exit live on air on 19 October 2012.
Petra called her two years on the show hard work and said she had only planned to stay two years.
Her last day was 21 December 2012, and Toni Street replaced her the following year. Toni Street took over her seat in 2013.
Podcasts, Radio and Chaplaincy (2017-Present)
In 2017, Petra joined the weeknight show The Project. Then in March 2022, she launched the Rova podcast Grey Areas, which examines ageing in New Zealand.
Guests have included Jackie Brown, Wendyl Nissan, Karen Walker, Robert Rakete, Miriama Kamo, and Robyn Malcolm. Petra calls the show the most fulfilling work of her career.
She launched the weekly radio show Sunday Sanctuary on Today FM in February 2023. Petra also serves as a media chaplain with the Christian Broadcasting Association.
In addition, she became the Anti-Human Trafficking ambassador for Tearfund, which took her to Nepal and Thailand.
She also works as a sought-after MC at art, fashion, and corporate events.
Petra Bagust Television Shows
Petra Bagust has hosted a wide range of New Zealand programs. The table below lists her best-known shows by year.
Her work has covered youth, travel, property, game shows, and news.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Ice TV | Co-host |
| 2003 | Hot Property | Presenter |
| 2005 | Snatch Our Booty | Presenter |
| 2005 | Sing Like a Superstar | Presenter |
| 2006 | The Perfect Age | Presenter |
| 2011-2012 | Breakfast | Co-host |
| 2017 | The Project | Presenter |
She has also appeared as a guest on New Zealand television in 2023.
Petra Bagust Awards and Recognition
Petra Bagust has earned nominations for her television work and wins for her podcast. Her recognition spans both screen and audio awards.
Grey Areas has led her recent run of trophies.
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Qantas Film and Television Awards | Best Presenter, Entertainment/Factual Programme (What’s Really in Our Food?) | Nominated |
| 2010 | Qantas Film and Television Awards | Best Presenter, Entertainment/Factual Programme (What’s Really in Our Food?) | Nominated |
| 2022 | NZ Podcast Awards | Best New Podcast (Grey Areas) | Gold |
| 2023 | NZ Podcast Awards | Best Entertainment Podcast (Grey Areas) | Won |
| 2023 | NZ Radio Awards | Best Entertainment Podcast, Seasonal (Grey Areas) | Won |
| 2025 | NZ Podcast Awards | Best Health and Wellbeing Podcast (Grey Areas) | Silver |
| 2026 | NZ Radio & Podcast Awards | Best Independent Podcast (Grey Areas) | Won |
Grey Areas won again at the 2026 NZ Radio & Podcast Awards.
Petra Bagust Husband Hamish Wilson
Petra Bagust married freelance cameraman Hamish Wilson in 2000. The couple has now been married for more than two decades.
Hamish handles camera and lighting for Grey Areas.
After the 2023 podcast award win, Petra thanked him publicly for his unwavering support. Their original three-seater couch has also served the family for 25 years.
When Petra left Breakfast, she said she wanted more time at home with her family. The family lives in Auckland.
Petra Bagust Children
Petra Bagust and Hamish Wilson have three children. Their family includes a daughter and two sons.
She left Breakfast when she began going to bed before her children. Family time still shapes her routine. She often surfs at Great Barrier side by side with her kids.
The household also includes a cat named Linus and a schnoodle named Otto.
Petra Bagust Net Worth
Petra Bagust’s estimated net worth is $4 million as of 2026. Her income comes mainly from television, radio, podcasting, and event hosting.
Grey Areas runs as a podcast with the production company Love It Media.
She works as an MC at corporate, art, and fashion events across New Zealand. Plus, she presents the weekly radio show Sunday Sanctuary.
Her television career ran for more than 20 years on screen.
Petra Bagust Social Media
Petra Bagust shares podcast news and written updates on Substack at petrabagust.substack.com. Her Substack page carries episode notes for Grey Areas.
She also uses it to thank her team and listeners after award wins. Her post on the 2023 podcast award credited Love It Media for backing the show.
That post also thanked Hamish Wilson for his camera and lighting work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Petra Bagust?
Petra Bagust turned 54 in April 2026. She was born in Christchurch in 1972.
What is Petra Bagust’s net worth?
Estimates put her wealth at $4 million in 2026. Most of it comes from her media career.
Who is Petra Bagust married to?
She has been married to freelance cameraman Hamish Wilson since 2000.
How many children does Petra Bagust have?
She and Hamish have three children, a daughter and two sons.
Why did Petra Bagust leave Breakfast?
She announced her exit live on air in October 2012. She said she would quit once she started going to bed before her children.
What is Petra Bagust doing now?
She hosts Grey Areas and Sunday Sanctuary and works as an MC and media chaplain.
Conclusion
Petra Bagust moved from a regional Christchurch station to Ice TV, Breakfast, and one of New Zealand’s most awarded independent podcasts.
Grey Areas and Sunday Sanctuary keep her on air three decades after her first television job.