Senior journalists to leave 3News

Two senior journalists are set to leave 3News' Christchurch bureau amid the company's rebrand to a new, cross-platform format.

Senior journalist Jeff Hampton will step down from his role in the newsroom tomorrow, while bureau chief Phil Corkery will say goodbye next week, MediaWorks confirmed yesterday.

Hampton, 57, has been in the business for 35 years, and covered some of the South Island's biggest stories, including the Christchurch earthquakes, the Pike River mine disaster and David Bain's retrial.

READ MORE:
• 'Sad' end for TV3 brand
• Rachel Smalley: 6pm news format 'dying'

He reportedly resigned from his position in the newsroom.

Corkery has already changed his Twitter bio to: "Grumpy (and now unemployed) old journo."

Earlier today it was revealed that news anchor Carolyn Robinson has also left the broadcaster after 15 years with MediaWorks. She is said to be looking forward to "having her weekends back and spending them with family".

The exits come as the channel integrates its media platforms - bringing television, radio and digital news services into one 'newshub'.

It announced today it was ditching its traditional 6pm bulletin and replacing it with a rebranded Newshub Live.

The new service will launch on February 1, with the 6pm show hosted by veteran anchors Hilary Barry and Mike McRoberts.

The channel's midday news show will be presented by journalist Jeff McTainsh, while Samantha Hayes will anchor the channel's late current affairs programme. Melissa Davies and Tom McRae will host the weekend's news programmes.