By ANNE BESTON
The face of morning television will disappear from the screen at the end of this week as the changing of the guard continues at state broadcaster TVNZ.
Production of the weekday lifestyle show Good Morning is shifting to the company's Avalon studios in Wellington, but host Mary
Lambie has decided to stay in Auckland.
After seven years of fronting the popular mid-morning programme, she says she doesn't know when - or even if - she will return to television.
"It's a huge change and I've only had the weekend to get used to it," she said.
"But I'm a great believer in one door closes and another opens and I've had a fantastic run.
"I think we've established the show into something good and strong and local, but all good things must come to an end at some point."
Lambie had no idea what she would do next but fronting Good Morning for seven years meant she had done a huge amount of television.
"Should I keep practising that craft or do something different? It's early days and I just do not know. I'm just getting used to the fact that from Friday I won't have a job."
TVNZ said Good Morning's editorial content would now come out of Avalon, freeing precious studio space in Auckland.
The programme's 'advertorial' content would still be produced in Auckland.
"The move provides lots more flexibility in Auckland because [Good Morning] has taken up a lot of studio time," said spokeswoman Di Schnauer.
No decisions had been made on a replacement presenter.
"Mary has elected not to go to Wellington so we will be looking at our options," Ms Schnauer said.
She did not know whether the programme would be revamped or stay the same format.
Two full-time staff members who did not want to move to Wellington would be transferred within the company.
Lambie, who is married to former Holmes reporter Jim Mora, with whom she has a 17-month-old daughter, said she had absolutely no idea who might replace her on the weekday show "but clearly it will be someone who is happy to be based out of Avalon".
She did not know what the show's future was.
TVNZ had asked her to shift but she told them her life was now in Auckland.
A high number of presenters and reporters have gone from TVNZ this year, including Jim Hickey, Richard Long and Maggie Barry.
"I guess if you sit down and think about those of us who are now moving on, in one year there's been quite a few of us," Lambie said.
By ANNE BESTON
The face of morning television will disappear from the screen at the end of this week as the changing of the guard continues at state broadcaster TVNZ.
Production of the weekday lifestyle show Good Morning is shifting to the company's Avalon studios in Wellington, but host Mary
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