Kiwi Journalist Becomes New Face of BBC Singapore

New Zealand journalist Vandhna Bhan has made her mark after becoming a presenter for the BBC in Singapore. Reporting from one of Asia’s busiest news hubs, she helped bring the region’s stories to audiences around the globe. Eight months into her role, Bhan broadened her skillset as part of a team delivering international news from the network’s Singapore bureau. The position placed her at the centre of a fast-moving global news cycle in a region that is increasingly shaping the world’s economic and political future.

“After having worked in the biggest BBC bureau in London, where it sometimes felt like a huge machine, I craved being part of a smaller team,” she said.

The move to Singapore offered a different professional environment. The smaller bureau appealed to Bhan because it gave her greater responsibility while also bringing her closer to family in New Zealand and Fiji.

Bhan had the opportunity to present live programmes including Newsday and Business, sometimes fronting three-hour broadcasts from Singapore. Her days involved writing scripts, creating graphics, editing video, booking guests, and producing segments from inside the gallery while the programme aired.

She reflected on the move as a healthy reset. “The biggest lesson Singapore taught me was just how burnt out I was previously in London and how much I needed to protect myself,” she said.

Bhan said the eight months in Singapore helped her feel “grounded” again in both her work and sense of purpose.

“Maybe it’s the slightly smaller team with a more focused news agenda, maybe it’s the lack of shift work, or maybe it’s just the vitamin D I’m getting, but Singapore made me slow down and re-evaluate why I’m in journalism and why I love what I do,” she said.

From local reporting to global news

Bhan began her journalism career at Auckland-based Indian radio station Radio Tarana. Her grassroots start in community media soon caught attention, and TVNZ later headhunted her to cover local and national stories for One News.

She discovered a love for presenting and reporting, covering issues ranging from public health failings to government accountability and community recovery following severe weather events. She described the work as rewarding because it allowed her to connect directly with communities and make a tangible impact.

Her role also included international stories, often in shorter formats. One defining moment came during the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. While reporting on the crisis, Bhan contacted people trapped in Kabul. Her reporting helped draw attention to one person’s situation, which ultimately led the New Zealand government to provide assistance.

After Bhan left New Zealand for London, she entered the BBC’s international newsroom and experienced a dramatic shift. She navigated global politics, conflicts, and economic developments daily. Within weeks, she had learned the intricacies of British politics and international diplomacy while reporting on stories across continents. The experience became a training ground that prepared her for Singapore and opened the door to more front-facing roles within the Asia bureau.

A regional hub for Asian stories

Singapore proved to be a refreshing change for Bhan. She said the move challenged her to deepen her understanding of the region. She developed expertise in finance, investment, and technology, and said living in Singapore reinforced the scale of Asia’s influence on the global economy.

Working in 24-hour news required constant learning and rapid decision-making. Headlines could emerge at any moment, often forcing journalists to verify information and report it within minutes. Once the BBC confirmed a story, news organisations worldwide frequently followed its lead.

“I felt the pressure both as a producer sending the lines to the presenter and as the presenter having to break the news as we got it. But it made me much more confident in my news judgement and my fact-checking. There are so many nuances in verifying information, especially during a time of disinformation and conflict,” she said.

“Back in New Zealand we relied on the BBC to do a lot of verification. Now I sometimes realise… we are the BBC. If we get it wrong, everyone gets it wrong," she added.

As the BBC expanded its coverage of Asian stories, Singapore’s bureau became increasingly autonomous from London. The team recently reported on tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, political shifts in Japan, and growing security concerns surrounding Taiwan.

“I really think we’ve been delivering as a newly formed team here,” she said.

Bhan was also struck by Singapore’s direct communication style. “I was very surprised by how straightforward Singaporeans are. Some expats find it rude, but I felt right at home. Just tell me how it is,” she said. “New Zealand newsrooms were often like this too, whereas London had a certain politeness that didn’t always make for efficient work.”

Living and working in Singapore gave Vandhna Bhan a deeper understanding of Asia’s growing importance to New Zealand’s future. Photo: AMC

Understanding New Zealand’s place in the region

Living and working in Singapore broadened Bhan’s perspective on New Zealand’s relationship with Asia.

She noted that more than 40 percent of New Zealand’s exports go to Asian markets, highlighting the region’s economic importance. She also observed geopolitical shifts as countries diversified trade relationships and reassessed regional security.

These developments, she said, would continue to shape New Zealand’s place in the Indo-Pacific in the years ahead.

Advice for aspiring journalists

For young New Zealanders considering a career in Asia, Bhan said curiosity and adaptability were essential.

Understanding business and economic news was particularly important in the region’s media landscape, where coverage often centres on trade, technology, and innovation. She also encouraged aspiring journalists to stay informed by following global financial and business outlets.

She said young professionals should be prepared to start anywhere. Breaking into international media often means taking roles outside one’s ideal specialty at first, but those experiences can open unexpected doors.

Bhan was excited about what lay ahead. The city’s fast-paced environment, the stories emerging across Asia, and the collaborative newsroom culture made the experience deeply rewarding. For now, she saw Singapore as a long-term chapter in her career, with plans to continue reporting on the region and travelling more widely across Asia as major stories unfolded.

-Asia Media Centre