Simon Dallow is a celebrated New Zealand broadcast journalist, television personality, and former barrister. He is best known as the long-serving principal anchor of TVNZ’s flagship 1News at Six, a role he held for nearly two decades before signing off in November 2025. His trusted voice, calm delivery, and thoughtful storytelling made him one of the most familiar faces in Aotearoa’s living rooms.
Simon Dallow Bio
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Simon Ross Dallow |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 18 June 1964 |
| Age | 62 years old (as of July 2026) |
| Place of birth | New Zealand |
| Current residence | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Ethnicity | Mixed — English, Scottish, Māori (Ngāti Pūkenga), Jewish (Lithuanian roots) |
| Zodiac sign | Gemini |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | Approximately 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | Around 82 kg (181 lbs) |
| Hair colour | Salt-and-pepper grey |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Father | Ross Dallow |
| Mother | Denise Goomes |
| Siblings | Christina, Pamela, and Matthew Dallow |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Louise Colenbrander (m. February 2026); previously Alison Mau (m. 1996–div. 2009) |
| Children | Two — Paris Dallow and Joel Dallow |
| High school | Liston College and St Peter’s College, Auckland |
| Alma mater | University of Auckland (Law) |
| Profession | Broadcast journalist, former barrister, tour manager |
| Years active | 1993–2025 (TVNZ) |
| Net worth | Estimated at around $1.5 million (2026) |
Who is Simon Dallow?
Simon Ross Dallow is a veteran Kiwi news anchor whose voice defined the 6pm bulletin for a generation of viewers. He anchored 1News at Six on TVNZ from January 2006 until his final broadcast on 28 November 2025, closing a 32-year run at the state broadcaster.
Before television, he practised as a litigation and insurance lawyer in Auckland. A pivot toward tourism took him across Europe as a Contiki tour director for six years, an experience that shaped his global outlook and storytelling flair.
Is Simon Dallow married? Wife, partner, dating history, and relationship status
Simon is married to Louise Colenbrander, a client solutions director at NZME. The couple wed in February 2026 after being together for around 15 years, and departed for a long overseas adventure in April 2026.
First marriage to Alison Mau
He was previously married to fellow TVNZ presenter Alison Mau. The pair met while both worked in Europe during his Contiki years and married in 1996.
They had two children together before separating in 2009 after 13 years of marriage. Alison went on to a relationship with Karleen Edmonds in a widely reported chapter of New Zealand media history.
Children
Simon and Alison share two children — daughter Paris Dallow, who has pursued a performing arts career (starring in a production of Kinky Boots), and son Joel Dallow.
Both children are now adults and have spent time living in Australia. Simon describes fatherhood as one of the most rewarding roles of his life.
How old is Simon Dallow? Age and birthday
Simon Dallow is 62 years old as of July 2026. He was born on 18 June 1964, which places him under the Gemini zodiac sign, associated with curiosity, communication, and adaptability — qualities well-suited to broadcasting.
He celebrated his 61st birthday in 2025 shortly before announcing his retirement from 1News at Six. His birthday falls just weeks before the New Zealand mid-winter solstice.
Simon Dallow’s height, weight, and body appearance
Simon stands at an estimated height of around 6 ft 0 in (approximately 183 cm) and weighs roughly 82 kg (about 181 lbs). His measurements are approximations drawn from on-air appearances and public photos, not official figures.
He carries a lean, tall frame that has become instantly recognisable behind the news desk. His signature salt-and-pepper grey hair and clear blue eyes give him a distinguished, statesman-like presence on screen.
Early life, family, and education
Simon was raised in New Zealand as the second of four children born to Ross Dallow and Denise Goomes. His father was a police officer who later became a well-known police prosecutor, while his siblings include Christina, Pamela, and Matthew Dallow.
His schooling took place at Liston College before he moved to St Peter’s College in Auckland. He then enrolled at the University of Auckland’s Law School, where he graduated with academic honours and earned the Senior Prize for excellence.
At age 20, Simon discovered his family’s long-hidden Māori whakapapa. The heritage traces to his paternal great-grandfather, the celebrated Māori rugby league player Ernie Asher (Te Keepa Pouwhiuwhiu), linking Simon to the Ngāti Pūkenga iwi of Tauranga with affiliations to Ngāti Pikiao.
Simon Dallow’s career journey
From law to Contiki tours
After graduating, Simon worked as a barrister and solicitor in Auckland during the 1980s. He was travelling to London on his OE when the 1987 stock market crash hit, leaving little appeal in a career specialising in bankruptcy law. That pivot sent him toward tourism.
He spent the next six years as a freelance tour director for Contiki Tours across Europe, guiding thousands of travellers through the continent’s great cities. It was during this chapter that he met future wife Alison Mau, with both returning home in 1993.
Rise at TVNZ (1993–2005)
Simon joined TVNZ in 1993, debuting as a presenter on TV2’s late-night current affairs show Newsnight alongside Alison Mau and Marcus Lush. From 1995, he and Mau co-hosted the mid-evening edition of One Network News.
The couple moved to present the weekend bulletins in 1998, a role Simon held until the end of 2003. He then fronted the Saturday morning interview programme Agenda in 2004 and 2005, and co-hosted the quiz show Test the Nation across four seasons.
Anchoring 1News at Six (2006–2025)
Simon’s biggest chapter began in January 2006 when he and Wendy Petrie took over from Judy Bailey as the new faces of 1News at Six. Their partnership became a Kiwi television staple for 14 years.
From 2020, Simon became the sole weeknight anchor of the flagship bulletin. He also presented Q+A, narrated documentaries including one on the foreshore and seabed controversy, and hosted a mid-morning slot on Viva FM (later Mix) from 2005 to 2007.
Farewell and next chapter
TVNZ confirmed on 3 November 2025 that Simon would step down as 6pm presenter. His final bulletin aired on Friday 28 November 2025, ending three decades at the network, with Melissa Stokes named as his successor.
Post-TVNZ, Simon is returning to his Contiki-era passion, taking on tour manager duties again — including a five-star trip through Cambodia and plans to lead his own European journeys.
What is Simon Dallow’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Simon Dallow’s net worth is estimated at around $1.5 million. His fortune stems primarily from his 32-year broadcasting career at TVNZ, one of New Zealand’s largest media employers.
Income sources
- TVNZ salary: For years he sat inside TVNZ’s high-earners’ club with reported earnings above $100,000 annually, and colleagues have suggested his pay was several times that of newsroom staff.
- Radio work: Presented mid-morning shows on Viva FM/Mix from 2005 to 2007.
- Hosting and MC work: Corporate events, awards nights, and public speaking engagements through Celebrity Speakers NZ.
- Documentary narration: Including work on the foreshore and seabed documentary.
- Tour managing: A returning income stream as he leads international tours in his post-anchor career.
- Legal background: Earlier professional income as a barrister and solicitor in Auckland during the 1980s.
Fast facts about Simon Dallow
- He was born in New Zealand on 18 June 1964 and holds a Gemini star sign.
- He earned his law degree at the University of Auckland with the Senior Prize for academic excellence.
- He worked as a Contiki tour director across Europe for six years before entering journalism.
- He discovered his Māori whakapapa at age 20, tracing links to the Ngāti Pūkenga iwi.
- His paternal great-grandfather was celebrated Māori rugby league player Ernie Asher.
- He anchored 1News at Six solo from 2020 until his final broadcast on 28 November 2025.
- A deepfake AI video of him promoting gambling apps circulated in 2023, prompting a public warning from TVNZ.
- He is a passionate rugby fan and describes himself as an “average Kiwi bloke”.
- He and his wife Louise Colenbrander were together 15 years before marrying in February 2026.
- His post-TVNZ plans include returning to tour management with trips through Cambodia and Europe.
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FAQs
How old is Simon Dallow?
Simon Dallow is 62 years old as of July 2026. He was born on 18 June 1964 in New Zealand and celebrated his 62nd birthday shortly after his retirement from 1News at Six.
Who is Simon Dallow’s wife?
Simon is married to Louise Colenbrander, a client solutions director at NZME. They tied the knot in February 2026 after being in a relationship for roughly 15 years.
Who was Simon Dallow’s first wife?
His first wife was TVNZ presenter Alison Mau, whom he wed in 1996. They share two children and separated in 2009 after 13 years together.
How many children does Simon Dallow have?
Simon has two children — daughter Paris Dallow and son Joel Dallow — from his marriage to Alison Mau. Both are now adults.
When did Simon Dallow leave TVNZ?
His last broadcast as 1News at Six anchor aired on Friday, 28 November 2025. He spent 32 years at the state broadcaster before stepping down.
What is Simon Dallow’s net worth?
Simon’s net worth is estimated at around $1.5 million as of 2026, built through his three-decade broadcasting career, hosting engagements, and earlier legal work.
What is Simon Dallow doing after TVNZ?
He is returning to tour management, a career he first held during his Contiki years in Europe. He plans to lead international trips including a five-star tour through Cambodia.
Wrapping up
Simon Dallow’s story reads like a masterclass in reinvention — from Auckland courtrooms and European tour buses to becoming New Zealand’s most trusted 6pm news anchor for nearly two decades.
His graceful exit from 1News at Six in November 2025 closed a defining chapter of Kiwi television. With a new marriage to Louise Colenbrander and a return to guiding travellers overseas, Simon is stepping into an equally rich next act.
References
- Wikipedia. “Simon Dallow”.
- Grokipedia. “Simon Dallow”.
- NZ Herald. “Simon Dallow: From tour guide to TVNZ anchorman and back again”.
- E-Tangata. “Simon Dallow and his family’s once-secret Māori connections”.
- 1News. “Simon Dallow signs off 1News for the last time with a final message”.
- Now to Love. “Simon Dallow’s family revelation”.
- NZ Herald. “Simon Dallow farewelled from 1News as TVNZ staff mark end of an era”.
- The Spinoff. “So long and thanks for all the news, Simon Dallow”.
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