The search is on for a fill-in anchor for TVNZ's Breakfast show following the announcement its leading man is taking extended leave.
Paul Henry - who hosts the TV show with Pippa Wetzell - is taking two months off from next Monday to spend quality time with histhree teenage daughters.
TVNZ said yesterday it was yet to confirm who will fill in to partner Wetzell, but an announcement was expected this week.
Speculation yesterday included a return of former front man Mike Hosking - now Saturday morning host on radio's NewstalkZB.
Other names came from within the show's ranks, including weather presenter Tamati Coffey and South Island reporter Jack Tame, who has built a fan base since starting with the show last year. The pair would both be familiar with the early morning starts needed.
Media analyst Martin Gillman said Henry - known as outspoken with an acerbic wit and love of gas guzzling cars - was hard to replace.
Gillman, who heads media buying and planning agency Total Media, expected the state broadcaster to look to radio to find a temporary presenter.
He said the change could give rival TV3 a chance to revive its "flagging" counterpart Sunrise.
"They [TV3] are going to take every opportunity they possibly can because it's a near terminal case," he said.
TVNZ news and current affairs publicist Rachel Lorimer said newsreader Peter Williams usually filled in if Henry was away for a few days but it was likely someone else would be appointed because of the longer duration.
Alison Mau stood in when Wetzell, due to return to screens today , was away.
But Lorimer would not be drawn on whether Mau might fill in for Henry - upsetting the long standing format of having a male and female presenting combination.
