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TVNZ's outspoken news boss Bill Ralston remained uncharacteristically quiet on his last day in the job yesterday, as details of the first steps of the state broadcaster's restructuring exercise emerged.
Mr Ralston was farewelled on Thursday night and did not indulge in a long lunch yesterday - despite having a well-known appetite for them - instead leaving Auckland for a weekend away.
Mr Ralston, a former editor of Metro and harsh critic of TVNZ before joining the company, presided during a turbulent period in the network's newsroom which included the departure of high-profile staff such as Paul Holmes, Judy Bailey and Richard Long amid falling news ratings and advertising revenue.
He said in an email to staff he was sad to be leaving but the time was right.
TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis outlined the company's new executive team structure to staff yesterday, the first step in a company-wide shakeup.
It came as TVNZ reportedly aimed to cut costs while introducing new online and digital channels.
About 200 jobs have been tipped to be cut but the broadcaster maintains it is too early to speculate.
Under the first phase of the scheme, kaihautu (chief Maori adviser) Hone Edwards - who works to integrate Maori awareness and issues with TVNZ's business objectives - will no longer report to the chief executive.
He will instead report to the head of TV, Jeff Latch, as will whoever is appointed to replace Mr Ralston as head of news and current affairs.
Some staff questioned why the news and current affairs department, the company's biggest single content supplier, was not represented on the management team and how Mr Latch could head the department given his lack of journalism experience.
Mr Ellis would not comment but said in an email to staff the move was a return to a previous arrangement.
"[Mr Latch] is a capable, competent, experienced television and business executive, quite capable of leading the turnaround in One News and TV One performance," wrote Mr Ellis.
Two new roles - head of emerging business and head of broadcast services - were outlined, as was an expanded marketing position with a bigger focus on researching and understanding audiences.
The full company restructuring exercise is expected to be completed by June.
