Hayley Holt

Early life

Holt was born in Auckland, grew up in the suburb of Epsom and attended Epsom Girls' Grammar School.

Dancing career

Holt started ballroom and Latin dancing at the age of seven, and was placed 19th in the Blackpool Rising Star Professional Ballroom Competition and was sixth in the US Open Rising Star Professional Ballroom Competition. She has also trained in jazz dance and studied for many years with Candy Lane. Holt's professional dance partner is David Yeates.

Holt joined the second season of the New Zealand TV show Dancing with the Stars in 2006, becoming the professional partner of swimmer Danyon Loader—the couple were eliminated in the semi-final. During the third season, Holt was the partner of basketball player Brendon Pongia and was again eliminated in the semi-final. In the fourth season, Holt was partnered with DJ Peter Urlich and was eliminated in episode three.

Holt participated in the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing as the professional partner of swimmer Mark Foster. Holt and Foster were voted off on 26 October, placing 11th overall. She did not return for series 7.

TV appearances

In 2007, Holt won TV2's Treasure Island: Pirates of the Pacific as one of "The Others". On 5 October 2008 Holt appeared on TV2's Shock Treatment. On 28 October 2008 she was interviewed on Campbell Live.

Since December 2009, Holt had been working on The Crowd Goes Wild, as a reporter and occasional presenter. In 2013, Holt was a co-presenter of TV One series Best Bits. In 2015, Holt appeared in one episode as "Olivia Banes" on Shortland Street. In January 2018, Holt began co-hosting Breakfast with Jack Tame. In 2019, her interview with Jordan Peterson received a lot of attention as Holt expressed happiness at not having had children in her 20s and 30s. She left Breakfast in August 2020 to move to sports presentation on 1News at 6pm.

Boxing career

Holt has had two corporate boxing bouts, both in 2011, and both won by decision to raise funds for charity. One of her opponents was pro surfer, Paige Hareb. As part of her preparation, Holt trained at the boxing gym Boxing Alley in Auckland, New Zealand.

Political aspiration

At the 2017 general election Holt stood for the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand in the Helensville electorate held by retiring former Prime Minister John Key. She failed to be elected either for the Helensville seat or from her 14th placing on the party list.

Personal life

In 2020, she began a relationship with Josh Tito who is ten years her junior and is of Māori descent. She announced in January 2020 that she was pregnant with their first child. On 8 May 2020 it was announced that their son had died at about 7 months' gestation. She experienced a miscarriage the following year. Holt gave birth to their second son in July 2022. The couple got engaged on 24 December 2022. In May 2024, she gave birth to another son.

Holt has spoken publicly about her experience with alcohol addiction, sobriety, and her ADHD diagnosis.

Bibliography

Holt, Hayley (2023). Second Chances: Facing My Demons And Finding A Better Me. HarperCollins Publishers LLC. ISBN 9781038727671

References

References

1. (8 May 2020). "Hayley Holt's baby passes away during Covid-19 lockdown".
2. "Secure Hayley Holt for your next event today!".
3. "Top Town | Television New Zealand | Entertainment | TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2".
4. "Sorry, that page was not found".
5. (28 August 2008). "Strictly celebrities are unveiled". [[BBC News]].
6. "Archived copy".
7. (26 October 2008). "Swimmer Foster sent off Strictly". [[BBC News]].
8. "A bit on the side with: Hayley Holt".
9. "Shock Treatment | Television New Zealand | Entertainment | TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2".
10. "Campbell Live".
11. (15 January 2018). "Hayley Holt joins Breakfast, Hilary Barry to Seven Sharp". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
12. (30 May 2021). "Jordan Peterson Talks about Family".
13. (14 August 2020). "Hayley Holt dedicates final Breakfast appearance to 'my bubba who's up there'". [[New Zealand Herald]].
14. Napier, Liam. (6 November 2011). "Hayley Holt, Paige Hareb boxing showdown". [[Stuff (website).
15. Davison, Isaac. (5 December 2016). "Hayley Holt to run for Parliament as Green Party candidate, may stand against John Key in Helensville". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
16. (5 December 2016). "TV personality Hayley Holt to run for Parliament".
17. McGillivray, Callum. (17 Feb 2017). "Holt heading to Helensville".
18. "Party Lists of Successful Registered Parties". Electoral Commission.
19. McConnell, Glenn. (15 January 2018). "Hilary Barry moves to Seven Sharp, replaced on Breakfast by Hayley Holt". [[Stuff (website).
20. (2023-12-17). "Hayley Holt's healing: 'My love just keeps growing'".
21. (22 January 2020). "Breakfast presenter Hayley Holt is expecting her first child". [[Stuff (website).
22. Tantau, Kelley. (2020-05-08). "Hayley Holt's baby passes away during Covid-19 lockdown".
23. Between Two Beers Podcast. (2023-10-15). "Hayley Holt Opens Up About Alcohol, Miscarriage, Motherhood, Politics, CGW, and more!".
24. (15 July 2022). "TVNZ presenter Hayley Holt shares pictures of baby joy".
25. (2025-01-08). "Hayley Holt's healing: 'My love just keeps growing'".
26. (2024-09-20). "'Love at first sight': Hayley Holt on welcoming second baby boy".
27. "Hayley Holt opens up about her drinking alter-ego 'Arthur'".
28. Pellegrino, Nicky. (2024-03-11). "Julie Legg and Hayley Holt's missing piece".