AUCKLAND, april 5, 2025 – Journalist Ali Mau revealed a regret from a live broadcast during Princess Diana’s death and a surprising connection to a scene from the hit show *Succession* in her new memoir, *No Words For This*, released this week.
Summer read – originally published April 5 2025.
A Career Unfiltered: Mau’s New Memoir Reveals All
- Mau’s memoir delves into four decades of journalism, offering a candid look at the industry.
- She recounts the chaotic moments following the news of Princess Diana’s death.
- Mau shares personal anecdotes, including her early television memories and a surprising encounter wiht Rupert Murdoch.
- The book details her transition from television to impactful investigative work and advocacy.
Mau’s memoir, described as “gripping, generous, revelatory and layered,” doesn’t shy away from deeply personal details, a intentional choice by the author. “I’ve read journalist memoirs that have no interiority at all, no self examination, and they’re quite dull,” Mau explained. “I didn’t want it to be anything like that.”
What was it like reporting on the death of Princess Diana? Mau recalls the frantic scene inside TVNZ the day princess Diana died. “Up until five o’clock, we all thought she had a broken arm, and then at five o’clock, she was dead,” she said. “It was absolute chaos.” She describes racing to the newsdesk and delivering the news of the Princess’s death to the nation while staring at a blank autocue.
Mau considers *Fair Go* her favorite television project, highlighting its coverage of the Christchurch earthquake as a particularly meaningful example of the show’s impact. She described how the team provided personal support to those affected, offering simple acts of kindness like access to bathroom facilities.
She also enjoyed her time on *Breakfast*, though she noted the show’s demanding hours and inherent gender inequities. She pointed out the different preparations required for male and female hosts in the early morning.
Mau’s television tastes lean towards crime dramas and true-story adaptations. She particularly enjoyed the show *Succession*, recalling a specific scene where Logan Roy stands on boxes of copy paper. “I actually saw Rupert Murdoch do that in the newsroom just after he bought The Herald in Melbourne,” she said, “I was just sitting there transfixed, reliving this memory from decades ago that I actually witnessed.”
Her guilty pleasure? Despite disliking Jeremy Clarkson, she finds herself watching *Clarkson’s Farm*, enjoying his constant humiliation. She also expressed a critical view of reality television,believing it can be damaging,though she used *Love Island* as a conversation starter with her teenage son.
Currently, she’s watching *Toxic Town* and recently finished *Landman*, praising Billy Bob Thornton’s performance despite her initial reservations about the actor.
No Words for This by Ali Mau ($40, HarperCollins NZ) is available for purchase from Unity Books.
