Simon Barnett facts for kids

Simon Barnett (born 23 March 1967) is a well-known radio and television host from New Zealand. He has been a friendly voice and face on screens and radios across the country for many years.

Simon's Exciting Career

Simon Barnett has had a long and interesting career in broadcasting. He's hosted many different types of shows, from sports challenges to music competitions and even home renovation series!

Early TV Shows and Challenges

In the 1990s, Simon hosted a TV show called Clash of the Codes. This show featured sports stars taking on fun physical challenges. Later, in 2018, he presented a similar show called XVenture Family Challenge, where families worked together on exciting tasks.

Simon also started his TV journey on the children's programme What Now? He was a host on this popular show from 1988 to 1992, helping kids start their Sunday mornings with fun and games.

Radio Star and More TV

Simon is very famous for his radio work. He used to co-host the morning show on Christchurch radio station 92 More FM with Gary McCormick and before that, with Phil Gifford. He has also worked for 91ZM and Radio Nelson.

Beyond radio, Simon has appeared in a New Zealand movie called Ruby and Rata (1990). He also showed off his dancing skills in 2015, winning the New Zealand version of Dancing with The Stars!

From 2008 to 2009, Simon hosted the New Zealand version of Stars In Their Eyes, a show where people dressed up and sang like famous music stars. In 2013, he hosted Mitre 10 Dream Home, a show about building and renovating homes, which took place in Kaiapoi after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

In 2019, Simon joined Newstalk ZB in Christchurch. However, he announced he would return to More FM in January 2025. He said it felt "like walking in the front door of the family home" after being away for a few years.

Simon's Life Journey

Simon grew up in Ashburton, a town near Christchurch in Canterbury. He went to Ashburton College from 1980 to 1984, and in his final year, he was the Head Boy.

Simon was married to his wife, Jodi, since 1991, and they had four daughters together. In October 2023, his wife Jodi sadly passed away after battling brain cancer. This difficult time led him to step away from his breakfast show role for a while. Simon has also shared his opinions on important family topics in public discussions.

See also

• List of New Zealand television personalities