Leathwick, Bill
Bill Leathwick (AKTV-2) was born in Christchurch, and started his announcing career with 3ZB in 1950. He moved to Australia in 1954, working at 2UE Sydney and also with the ABC at Hobart. Two years later he returned to New Zealand to work at 2XA Wangonui. Before moving to Auckland last year (1966 article), he was stationed in Wellington for three years. He is often seen as a news reader on AKTV-2 but still enjoys radio work, and commentating for both media Is his speciality. Bill is married and has one daughter. His interests include the theatre. and records.
In 2007 Mr Leathwick was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for a career in radio and television spanning more than 50 years.
Comments
Robert Taylor QS 06/06/2011
Bill has been a good friend and work colleague for many years. He was my producer in a number of stage shows and is a man of extraordinary talent, perhaps not fully appreciated by the broadcasting community. He is both inspirational and an incentive to those who come behind him.
He is one of our leading lights showing the way ahead for those who wish to see.
Robert
Kerry 02/01/2019
Remember Bill's voice so well on the concert programme
Mike Cannon 31/05/2019
I actually remember being at one of Bill Leathwick's children's shows in the late 50's at Radio Station 2XA Wanganui. The format was similar to the Art Linklater children's shows in the USA. 2XA was a very small radio station which had its own stage and I still recall as a child going to one Bill's shows, and it being broadcast later the same day....30 years later (early 80's), I regularly visited the station (since changed to 2ZW) to personally hand Police messages for broadcast directly to the announcers upstairs (that wouldn't happen now, I'm sure). The stage and room were still there in the upstairs area of the Guyton Street building.....the things we remember !
Ivan Horbun 07/08/2019
When i was a pupil at Lytton Street School in Feilding in the 50's my class went on a days excursion to Wanganui. One of our stops was to visit the 2XA radio station where we met Bill.He was such a genial fellow,and answered all our inquisitive questions about the radio station and himself. You could not have been entertained by such a happy fellow
Julia Leathwick 02/05/2021
Hi all just to pass on the sad news that Dad passed away peacefully in his 89th year on the 2nd of May 2021
xx
Darren 02/05/2021
Condolences to you and your family.
Mike Cannon 03/05/2021
Condolences to the family. By all accounts, Bill appears to have had a long, illustrious and enjoyable (to him) career in broadcasting, so well done to him......
Margaret 03/05/2021
Bill was a hero and a friend to the youngsters growing up in Wanganui in the 50's. A lovely lovely man, he encouraged and applauded us. Forever in our memories, Bill, we loved you.
Alastair 17/03/2024
I went to Queens Park School and lived in Victoria Avenue. Would often go to the studio and participate in the show on the way home from school! Shortnin Bread featured often! Bill had a very distinctive voice - very sexy!
