At a time when Gender diversity is more important than ever, we at the NZCS are proud to be able to tautoko our members successes as always. NZCS Committee member Tory Evans has some great news as she’s breaking new ground in her role as Camera Op at TVNZ. 

Tory has recently been promoted to start a new role as ‘Camera Journalist' on the Sunday program at the beginning of August. Here’s the lowdown:

‘Sunday wanted a camera op who lives and breathes current affairs, and could bring a fresh approach to shooting a more modern, stylised product, whilst keeping news journalism at the fore. So I’m expected to bring my ‘news brain’ with me, as well as my technical and production experience’ Tory explains. 

‘Traditionally TVNZ hasn’t had many female Camera Ops in News - when I started working for them three years ago, we had one female crew in News, who’d been there for 11 years. The atmosphere wasn’t exactly one of discouragement but there was definitely no movement in the camera section for the foreseeable future’. 

Tory had spent over a decade at Mediaworks previously, where they had at least six female crew at any given time! ‘I’m pretty sure there have been at least three other female crews at TVNZ over the last two decades, the amazing Steph Mohi, and also Mel Burgess come to mind. Another was Briar McCormack who started out filming for Sunday, and moved into a Producing role. All exceptional, talented women in their own right.’

‘Now, as I write this, we have seven of us across the network, thanks in no small part to our wonderful GM of Operations Andrew Fernie, who has nurtured and encouraged all of us along the way. I have a job at TVNZ purely because of him - he embraces diversity, and isn’t afraid to take on newbies / female crew if he sees they have talent’.

‘I’m excited about the role, I’m the second female to work on Sunday since its first episode in 2002. Big shoes to fill no doubt, but ever since I got my first big job on Campbell Live a few years back, I knew Sunday was the next goal for me to achieve ... Long may it last!’

Congratulations Tory, great to hear you’re being recognised for your visual talents and passionate commitment to your craft. We look forward to seeing more of your beaut visual storytelling on the air waves as you journey ahead! 

You can follow Tory on Instagram @torygraceevans