Prime Television today announced that TVNZ presenter Alison Mau is joining the channel to work on a new Paul Holmes programme.
Mau is currently presenting TV One's weekday Breakfast programme, alongside former Radio Pacific presenter Paul Henry.
She will be a senior reporter for the programme and also become Holmes' anchor hostwhen he is on leave or on an outside broadcast, Prime said in a statement.
"Alison is an extraordinarily gifted journalist and presenter. I am delighted that she will be joining Prime," Prime Television chief executive Chris Taylor said.
Holmes left his current affairs show last month after announcing he would move to Prime next year, where it is understood he will be paid $1 million a year for a three year contract as co-producer and host of the new show.
Today Mr Taylor responded to media speculation linking TVNZ presenter Kate Hawkesby and Prime by issuing a statement saying the channel had not approached her.
"Following speculation regarding approaches to Kate Hawkesby, I wish to categorically state that neither myself, or indeed anyone from Prime has contacted or met with Kate regarding any position on the Network.
"While I respect the work that Kate does for TVNZ, any speculation regarding such an approach of any description is simply not true. As such, TVNZ have every right to feel supremely confident that Kate will stay-put," he said.
