Sean Plunket confirms move to ZB

Sean Plunket. File photo / Paul Estcourt

Sean Plunket is the new local host of Newstalk ZB's Wellington weekday morning show, it was confirmed today.

Plunket signed off from Radio New Zealand's Morning Report for the final time this morning. He had worked on the programme since September 1996.

The Radio Network said today that Plunket would be replacing Justin du Fresne on the flagship Wellington weekday morning show. He will take up the role next January.

Plunket also has a new job presenting TV3's weekend political show The Nation as well as writing a column for monthly Metro magazine.

"It has been an amazing 13 years and lasted longer than I expected it would," he said on air this morning.

"I would hope that notwithstanding some massive development in the field of genetics, I will be the longest ever serving co-host with you on Morning Report," he told long-serving colleague Geoff Robinson.

The Radio Network's chief executive John McElhinney said they were looking forward to Plunket taking up the role at ZB.

"It's great to have Sean join Newstalk ZB. He has strong perspectives and is not afraid of asking the hard questions. We look forward to the contribution he will make."

Plunket has won numerous media awards for his work.

He has not always had a smooth relationship with his now former employer and took Radio New Zealand to the Employment Relations Authority last year after he was banned from writing a political column in Metro.

Radio New Zealand argued that Plunket had a conflict of interest.

RNZ chief executive Peter Cavanagh said a political column could lessen Plunket's perceived objectivity as a Morning Report host.

The authority agreed that RNZ had the right to decide if Plunket's activities could be deemed an "actual or potential" conflict of interest.

But Radio NZ relented allowing him to write the column.

Plunket has previously worked in television, including stints on Fair Go, a number of years as a TV3 political correspondent in the press gallery and with current affairs show Holmes.

Plunket is excited about his new role.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of filling Justin's shoes and connecting with the people of Wellington where I've lived and worked my whole life."

- NZPA and Newstalk ZB