Esteemed Tauranga radio announcer Brian Kelly, affectionately known as BK, has been distinguished in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his extensive services to broadcasting. This recognition celebrates a remarkable 55-year career on the airwaves, a journey that began despite early discouragement about his vocal suitability for radio, advice Kelly chose to disregard to pursue his lifelong passion.

For the past four and a half years, Kelly has been the voice of Gold Sport’s The Country Sport Breakfast, a role that sees him conduct an estimated 60 interviews a week, totaling around 14,000 conversations. The show, produced by his son Mark, requires a pre-dawn start, with Kelly rising at 3:45 am to cycle to his Cameron Rd studio for the three-hour live broadcast commencing at 6 am. His dedication is supported by his family – wife Ronata and their three adult children – who are accustomed to his early bedtime of 8 pm. Kelly prides himself on the show's blend of engaging interviews and classic rock music, with a beloved rock song featured every half hour.

Kelly's broadcasting odyssey started in 1970 at the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, where the self-proclaimed "Beatles nut" selected songs for national radio. The majority of his career was spent in music radio, including a significant tenure with Coast FM in Tauranga, before transitioning to his current role in 2021. He often reflects on his career with the sentiment that he's "never worked a day in his life," a testament to his enduring love for his profession.

Beyond music and talk radio, motorsport has been another lifelong passion for Kelly, who served as New Zealand’s voice of motorsport for four decades. He has reported and commentated from every major racing event in the country, interviewing motorsport luminaries such as Sébastien Loeb and a young Liam Lawson. A cherished memory for Kelly is his friendship with the late Formula One world champion Denny Hulme, with whom he shared moments under Hulme’s apple tree. Kelly remains actively involved in events like Rally Otago, which he considers the best in the country.

Upon receiving news of the Royal honour, Kelly’s initial reaction was one of surprise and humility, feeling he was "not deserving of this" for simply doing what he loves. He speculates that his nomination might have originated from Dunedin, given his connection to Rally Otago, but remains unsure of the nominator. Kelly, who has no plans for retirement, believes his work is not only enjoyable but also "good for your brain."

Kelly’s distinctive broadcasting style is characterized by his effort to "do things differently" and make his shows "more exciting for the listener." A particular bugbear for him is when hosts address their audience collectively. Instead, Kelly speaks as if to an individual, fostering a more personal connection, whether they are driving or listening in a milking shed. "You’re actually talking to them. It’s more personal," he explains.

Throughout his career, Kelly has also emceed various events, from the Westpac Business Awards to an international squash championship in Tauranga. Among his numerous broadcasting accolades, he holds particular pride in a 1980s New York Radio Awards gold medal for "Operation Falcon Roost," a documentary-style piece on the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This project involved a memorable flight in a jet, tragically shortly before the pilot's death. Raised in Whanganui, Kelly’s journey from aspiring announcer at age five to a celebrated veteran underscores a career built on passion and a unique connection with listeners.