SkyCity fire forces TVNZ building to evacuate, 1 News and Seven Sharp to broadcast from temporary studios

TVNZ's building was evacuated this morning due to smoke from the SkyCity Convention Centre Fire, and the Breakfast show broadcast live from the streets and from a backup studio.

The evacuation will also affect their news broadcasts throughout the day, a TVNZ spokesperson said in a statement.

"As you have seen, TVNZ Breakfast broadcast from our backup studio facility this morning. 1 News at Midday will reduce to a 5 min bulletin presented by Chris Chang also at the back-up studio facility."

Te Karere and 1 News Tonight (10:30pm) will not go to air today."

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"We are planning for our 1 News at Six bulletin which will be helmed out of Wellington."

Seven Sharp will broadcast from the backup studio.

The spokesperson said: "TVNZ's building is still operational and has not been damaged by the fire. However, there are large volumes of smoke in the area and road closures."

Just before the Breakfast show was due to go to air at 6 am, the Breakfast Twitter account posted: "#LATEST The TVNZ building has been evacuated due to the Auckland Convention Centre fire. We are hoping to bring you a show this morning - bear with us!"

While the show relocated to an alternate studio across the road, the programming cut to a broadcast of BBC news, beginning a live broadcast at 6:15 am. The show's hosts and reporters also broadcast live from the street.

"We're coming to you live from a nearby location, you certainly could smell the smoke when you walked into work this morning," said Breakfast news presenter Jenny-May Clarkson.

"So we're just going with what happens and how it rolls."

Seven Sharp host Hilary Barry posted her support for her colleagues on Twitter.

"Breakfast back on air on TVNZ despite being evacuated at 5:45 am due to Convention Centre fire next door. They have set up a satellite studio. Great effort team!"

Despite the disruption, Breakfast host John Campbell interviewed firefighters and reported live from the scene.

On Facebook, viewers commented in support of the emergency services fighting the fire and praised TVNZ for continuing the broadcast.

"Those firefighters are amazing. Glad all at TVNZ are safe and keeping all of us in touch with what [is] going on. Thank you."

"Glad you are all safe TVNZ. Cheers to the fire service they work bloody hard."