Hilary Barry's teary goodbye: 'When Hilary laughed, we all laughed' - McRoberts

This afternoon on NZ Herald Focus Chaos erupts in court as Christchurch woman Renee Duckmanton’s family face the man accused of her murder and tributes flow in for Hilary Barry as she prepares for her last 6pm news broadcast at tv3 tonight.

Hilary Barry signed off from Newshub for the last time tonight, with a handful of tissues, teary eyes, giggles, and a beautiful bunch of flowers last night.

The veteran newsreader said she was incredibly grateful for her 23 years at MediaWorks and thanked her colleagues for putting up with her frequent and notorious giggle attacks.

"When Hilary laughed, we all laughed," McRoberts said, before cutting to video of some of Barry's more infamous on-air outbursts.

NZ Herald Focus host Tristram Clayton with Hilary Barry and Mediaworks former head of news Mark Jennings. Photo / Supplied

"You've been with us for 23 years and over that time much loved part of our family," McRoberts said as Barry grabbed a handful of tissues and dabbed her eyes.

"You're such a fantastic person to be with."

At the end of tonight's Newshub bulletin, a video montage of Barry over the years showed her as a young reporter making - and tasting a Spam smoothie and tracking down an escaped pig.

Barry as a young reporter making and tasting a Spam smoothie. Photo: MediaWorks

On a more serious note, major events covered by Barry were included in the tribute, including her coverage of the Christchurch earthquakes.

"When the nation needed people the most, you were there," McRoberts said.

In a Facebook post earlier today, Barry thanked "every single person who tuned in".

"It's time to say goodbye and thank you," she wrote. "Half of my life spent in one place with wonderful people - friends, teachers and mentors."

Hilary Barry as a young reporter. Photo / MediaWorks

She also shared a montage of photos - including one of her cleaning the TV3 newsdesk with a rag.

Watching @Hilary_Barry go out in style. Saying bye to the best @NewshubNZ pic.twitter.com/kv6X5C9BL1

— Kanoa Lloyd (@KanoaLloyd) May 27, 2016

Former TV3 sports presenter Hamish McKay called Barry's departure "ground zero" for the network.

"I can't even begin to imagine what it was like to be on the ground floor the day when that news filtered around," he said. "Someone like me leaving? Minor tremor. John Campbell? Earthquake. Hilary? Ground zero, tsunami."

No words. Just need more wine. https://t.co/zGGJmGVGtk

— Anika Moa (@Anika_Moa) May 27, 2016

Barry's departure, revealed by the Herald on April 29, is the second high-profile casualty at TV3 in the past year after John Campbell left last May when his show Campbell Live was dumped.

We're not crying already. Nope. Not at all. pic.twitter.com/sYt5PCc0Di

— Cate Owen (@CateOwen) May 27, 2016

Other recent departures from the channel include McKay, newsreader Carolyn Robinson, current affairs editor Terence Taylor and his 3D team which included Melanie Reid and Paula Penfold, and a host of others.

At the end of tonight's Newshub bulletin, a video montage of Barry over the years was played. Photo / MediaWorks

The most recent to leave the company in the deluge of high profile resignations was chief executive Mark Weldon - who announced he was leaving on May 4 - just days after news broke about Barry.

We abandoned TVNZ news when Judy Bailey left. We turned to 3News & fell in love with @Hilary_Barry where will we go now? We will miss you HB

— Rachael Craw (@RachaelCraw) May 27, 2016

That afternoon Barry and McRoberts were spotted arriving at MediaWorks' Auckland studio carrying boxes of beer and champagne.

.@Hilary_Barry, still issuing pronunciation orders on her way out the door: "There's only one syllable in 'Our', not two!"

— Kim Choe (@kimchoe) May 27, 2016