However, last night's technical glitch was "very rare,'' she said.
A former TVNZ technical operator who worked at the broadcaster for several years said the news delay was extraordinary.
"I imagine there would have been substantial panic at the TV station this evening," he said.
It's not the first time the bulletin has been delayed. Memorably, the One Network News was delayed for about 10 minutes in 1995 after a group of Maori protesters stormed the newsroom minutes before the 6pm broadcast was to air.
Members of the group were unhappy about the fact Maori current affairs programme Te Karere had not been aired over the Christmas break.
Protester Ken Mair said at the time: "From our point of view, Maori news should receive the same time allocation as the Pakeha news. It's as simple as that - and that's why we're here.''
The protesters were later escorted off the TVNZ premises by police officers.
