Marcus Lush

Marcus was raised mainly in Auckland, the fourth son of a printer and a speech therapist. He began his long career in talkback by presenting a show on student station Radio BFM (now 95bFM), where he worked alongside Eating Media Lunch co-creator Paul Casserly. At the age of 24, he went on to take over the graveyard talk-back shift on 1ZB.

Marcus made his first foray into television in the 1990s on the late-night TV2 news show Newsnight. He spent time as host of the show's less serious half, presenting stories on random topics such as guinea-pig shows and lawnmower collectors.

In 2003, an episode of the travel show Intrepid Journeys set him on a new broadcasting path and showcased his informal, musing, ad-hoc style to his best advantage. Directed and co-produced by Melanie Rakena from Jam TV, it was then that he refused to make television with anyone else.

Melanie and Marcus went on to make Off the Rails a big-rating success. The programme followed the trainspotting Lush as he ventured from his transplanted hometown of Bluff to Opua in the North, utilising a range of railways - including coal, freight and steam. Lush argued that the show was about more than trains: "That's why we subtitled it ‘A Love Story.' It was really a love story about New Zealand."

These days Marcus lives in his beloved Bluff with sons Tracker and Denver, and partner Vanessa, from where he hosts the night-time talkback show Marcus Lush Nights on NewstalkZB.

TESTIMONIALS

Marcus is an open and honest speaker, both thought-provoking and entertaining. He was a big draw card for our event and guests left thrilled to have seen a face, to the voice they know so well.
-Arena Living