Jenny-May Clarkson: From Silver Fern to Broadcaster

Introduction

Jenny-May Clarkson is a New Zealand broadcaster, author, former police officer and former international netball player.

She first became famous as Jenny-May Coffin while playing for the Silver Ferns, New Zealand’s national netball team. She later moved into sports commentary, television news and morning broadcasting.

Clarkson became one of TVNZ’s longest-serving presenters. She co-hosted the popular morning programme Breakfast from 2020 until November 2025.

As of July 2026, she is no longer a permanent Breakfast presenter. Her most recent major television role was leading TVNZ’s coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Jenny-May Clarkson Quick Facts

Detail	Verified information
Full professional name	Jenny-May Clarkson
Former professional name	Jenny-May Coffin
Birth year	1974
Birthplace	Te Kūiti, New Zealand
Nationality	New Zealander
Iwi connections	Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Kahu
Main profession	Broadcaster and author
Former professions	Police officer and netball player
National netball team	Silver Ferns
Silver Ferns career	1997 to 2002
Leadership role	Silver Ferns vice-captain in 2001
Commonwealth Games medal	Silver medal in 2002
Major television programme	TVNZ’s Breakfast
Published book	Full Circle
Current status	Independent broadcaster and author

Who Is Jenny-May Clarkson?

Jenny-May Clarkson is a well-known New Zealand media personality with experience in professional sport, policing, news and television presenting.

Many people remember her as a Silver Fern. Others know her from TVNZ, where she reported on sport, presented news and later became a familiar face on Breakfast.

Her career is unusual because she successfully moved between several demanding professions.

She competed internationally in netball, served as a police officer and then built a long career in television.

Where Was Jenny-May Clarkson Born?

Jenny-May Clarkson was born in Te Kūiti in 1974.

She grew up in Piopio, a small community in New Zealand’s King Country. She was the youngest of six children.

Her family lived close to Mokaukohunui marae. Clarkson has explained that Māori family gatherings, hui and cultural traditions were part of her childhood, even though she did not grow up speaking te reo Māori fluently.

Jenny-May Clarkson’s Māori Background

Clarkson has publicly identified her iwi connections as Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Kahu.

Her Māori identity later became an important part of her public life.

She has spoken openly about feeling disconnected from te reo Māori when she was younger. As an adult, she returned to learning the language and developing a stronger connection with te ao Māori.

This journey was not always easy. Clarkson has explained that she sometimes felt embarrassed because people expected her to know the language simply because she was Māori.

Her experience may feel familiar to people who have lost part of their family language or culture. Her story shows that cultural learning can begin again at any stage of life.

Readers interested in similar New Zealand media journeys can learn about Maiki Sherman’s Māori media career, which also connects journalism, television and te reo Māori.

Was Jenny-May Clarkson a Silver Fern?

Yes, Jenny-May Clarkson was an international netball player for New Zealand.

She represented the Silver Ferns from 1997 until 2002. She played 26 international tests and became the team’s vice-captain in 2001.

Clarkson competed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. New Zealand reached the final but lost 57–55 to Australia after extra time, earning the silver medal.

Her Commonwealth Games result, birthplace and birth year are recorded in her official New Zealand Olympic Team record.

Domestic Netball Career

Clarkson also had a long career in New Zealand’s domestic netball competitions.

She played for teams including:

• Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic
• Auckland Diamonds
• Southern Steel
• Northern Mystics

She served in leadership positions during her playing career and later became involved in coaching and athlete development.

Her knowledge of netball also helped her enter sports commentary. She completed her first commentary assignment in 2001, while she was still playing international netball.

Jenny-May Clarkson’s Police Career

Before becoming a full-time television presenter, Clarkson worked as a New Zealand police officer.

She served in Hamilton and continued working in policing during part of her elite netball career.

This meant she had to balance police duties, training, travel and international competition.

Her time in the police gave her experience dealing with difficult situations and communicating with people from different backgrounds. These skills later became useful in journalism and live television.

How Did Jenny-May Clarkson Enter Television?

Clarkson’s broadcasting journey started through sports commentary.

Her experience as an international player gave her a strong understanding of netball. She could explain tactics, player decisions and pressure situations to television viewers.

In 2005, she began her long relationship with TVNZ as a netball commentator.

She later worked as:

• A sports journalist
• A television reporter
• A sports presenter
• A newsreader
• A live television host
• A major sports-event presenter

She also appeared on Māori Television and helped present the sports programme Code.

Clarkson gradually moved from covering sport to presenting wider news and current-affairs content.

Jenny-May Clarkson on TVNZ Breakfast

Jenny-May Clarkson joined the permanent Breakfast presenting team in 2020.

The programme combines news, interviews, weather, entertainment and discussions about important national issues.

Clarkson became the first wahine Māori appointed to the programme’s co-host position. She represented her Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Kahu heritage throughout her time on the show.

Her presenting style allowed her to cover serious news while also taking part in lighter conversations with guests and fellow hosts.

She remained a Breakfast co-host for five years.

People interested in the growing presence of Māori women in New Zealand broadcasting may also enjoy reading about Oriini Kaipara’s television and public journey.

Why Did Jenny-May Clarkson Leave Breakfast?

TVNZ announced Clarkson’s departure in November 2025 as part of plans to refresh the programme.

Her final episode was broadcast on November 21, 2025.

Clarkson said she was leaving with gratitude after almost 20 years at TVNZ. She also spoke about wanting to spend more time with her family and explore new opportunities.

Her departure ended her permanent daily role, but it did not mean she had retired from broadcasting.

What Is Jenny-May Clarkson Doing Now?

As of July 2026, Clarkson has not announced another permanent daily television position.

Her most recent confirmed major presenting project was TVNZ’s coverage of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

She hosted a studio programme during the competition and worked with former Paralympians and winter-sport experts.

The assignment marked her return to television screens only a few months after her final Breakfast show.

She has also continued working as an author, speaker and experienced media professional.

Jenny-May Clarkson’s Book Full Circle

Clarkson released her book Full Circle on April 30, 2025.

The book tells the story of her journey through sport, policing, television, marriage, motherhood and cultural reconnection.

An important part of the book focuses on her relationship with te ao Māori. Clarkson discusses the feeling that something was missing from her identity and how learning more about her language and whakapapa helped her move forward.

The book also explores confidence and self-doubt. Although she had achieved success in sport and broadcasting, Clarkson has explained that she did not always feel confident inside.

Full Circle was published by HarperCollins New Zealand.

Jenny-May Clarkson’s Moko Kauae

In April 2024, Clarkson publicly revealed her moko kauae.

A moko kauae is a traditional Māori marking worn on the chin. It can represent whakapapa, identity, responsibility and connection with ancestors.

Clarkson explained that receiving her moko kauae was part of her journey towards accepting and understanding her Māori identity.

She also made clear that she remained the same person. The moko did not create a new identity. It showed a part of herself that had always been present.

Is Jenny-May Clarkson Married?

Jenny-May Clarkson is married to Dean Clarkson.

They met in 2015 and developed a relationship quickly. Clarkson has written publicly about their meeting and marriage in an authorised extract from Full Circle.

The couple have twin sons. Dean also has two daughters from an earlier relationship.

Clarkson has spoken about the challenge of balancing motherhood with the early working hours required for morning television.

Charity and Public Advocacy

Jenny-May Clarkson is a media ambassador for Bowel Cancer New Zealand.

Her involvement has a personal connection. Her brother died from bowel cancer at the age of 54.

Clarkson has used her public platform to encourage people to understand possible symptoms and seek medical help early.

Her advocacy focuses on awareness rather than fear. She wants people to listen to their bodies and avoid ignoring symptoms that continue for a long time.

Why Is Jenny-May Clarkson Important?

Jenny-May Clarkson is important in New Zealand public life because her career connects sport, broadcasting and Māori representation.

She competed for her country before becoming a trusted television presenter.

Her appointment to Breakfast was historically important because she became the programme’s first wahine Māori co-host.

She has also spoken honestly about cultural disconnection, learning te reo Māori as an adult and dealing with self-doubt.

These conversations have helped other people understand that public success does not always remove private uncertainty.

Interesting Facts About Jenny-May Clarkson

• She was known professionally as Jenny-May Coffin during her netball career.
• She worked as a police officer while competing in elite sport.
• She became Silver Ferns vice-captain in 2001.
• She won a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2002.
• Her first sports commentary work came while she was still an international player.
• She worked at TVNZ for almost 20 years.
• She was the first wahine Māori appointed as a Breakfast co-host.
• She published Full Circle in 2025.
• She returned to television for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Jenny-May Clarkson?

Jenny-May Clarkson is a New Zealand broadcaster, author, former police officer and former Silver Ferns netball player.

What is Jenny-May Clarkson famous for?

She is famous for representing New Zealand in netball and co-presenting TVNZ’s Breakfast.

Was Jenny-May Clarkson a police officer?

Yes. She worked as a New Zealand police officer before becoming a full-time broadcaster.

When did Jenny-May Clarkson play for the Silver Ferns?

She represented the Silver Ferns from 1997 to 2002.

How many tests did Jenny-May Clarkson play?

She played 26 international netball tests for New Zealand.

Did Jenny-May Clarkson win a Commonwealth Games medal?

Yes. She won a silver medal with the Silver Ferns at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Is Jenny-May Clarkson still on Breakfast?

No. Her final Breakfast programme was broadcast on November 21, 2025.

Why did Jenny-May Clarkson leave TVNZ?

Her departure was announced during TVNZ’s plans to refresh Breakfast. Clarkson also wanted more family time and the opportunity to explore new work.

What is Jenny-May Clarkson doing in 2026?

Her most recent confirmed major television project was presenting TVNZ’s Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games coverage.

What book did Jenny-May Clarkson write?

She wrote Full Circle, which was published in April 2025.

Is Jenny-May Clarkson married?

Yes. She is married to Dean Clarkson, and they have twin sons.

What are Jenny-May Clarkson’s iwi connections?

Her publicly confirmed iwi connections are Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Kahu.

Conclusion

Jenny-May Clarkson has built a rare career across international sport, policing and national television.

She began as a Silver Fern, became a Commonwealth Games medallist and then developed into one of New Zealand’s most familiar broadcasters.

Her work on Breakfast made her an important figure in national television and Māori representation. Although she left the programme in November 2025, she returned to major sports broadcasting for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.

Her journey continues through broadcasting, writing, public speaking and cultural work.