Full Circle

I stumble across a photo of me, aged ten. My immediate thought is: ‘Who is that girl?’ I remember her but I don’t recognise myself in her. She was so determined. Once she knew what she wanted, she’d just head straight for it.

From a childhood in rural Piopio, Jenny-May Coffin grew up to achieve international success as a Silver Fern and then began a stellar career on radio and television as a sports commentator and morning presenter. But outward success can often mask inner uncertainty, and Jenny-May lost her grip on the confidence her ten-year-old self possessed. The ups and downs of a full life, with tragedies as well as triumphs, left her in need of renewal. Here is the story of how she found self-confidence again, reclaiming strength and identity through her connections to te ao Māori, with the support of her husband, Dean Clarkson, and her close ties to her parents and siblings.

Author Biography

As Jenny-May Coffin, the author played netball for New Zealand, and was vice-captain in 2001. She also played for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the National Bank Cup between 1998 and 2004 and the Auckland Diamonds in 2007; she also played one season for the Southern Steel in the ANZ Championship in 2008, and was signed to play with the Northern Mystics in 2010.

Since 2005, Jenny-May Clarkson has been a sports commentator and news presenter for TVNZ and Maori Television, and since 2020 has been one of the co-hosts on Breakfast. She lives in Manukau with her husband Dean Clarkson, and their twin sons.