TVNZ says Breakfast host Corin Dann will take over the reins as political editor of One News, but questions remain over who will co-host the embattled morning news show with Petra Bagust.
Dann and Bagust have been fronting the show since January 17, last year, replacing former hosts Pippa Wetzell and Paul Henry. Henry left after sparking an international outcry over his pronunciation of Sheila Dikshit's last name and Wetzell left ahead of the birth of her third child.
The show has received mixed reviews over the past year.
Social media sites such as Twitter have lit up with discussion over who will take the role, with former US correspondent Tim Wilson an early favourite.
But a TVNZ spokeswoman said they would not be making an announcement on the Breakfast post for another few weeks.
Head of News and Current Affairs Ross Dagan said Dann was an obvious choice for political editor.
"His appointment will secure TVNZ's strong performance in the political arena. This is an important job in any democratic society and Corin's track record and professional skills will be an outstanding asset both to the company and to viewers."
Before starting with TVNZ as the network's business presenter, Dann spent six years in the Beehive press gallery reporting for Radio New Zealand.
Dann said that was where his interests lay.
"I'm extremely proud of what we accomplished in a huge news year, which encompassed the earthquakes in my home town of Christchurch, the Rugby World Cup and the election.
"But politics is my passion and I'm looking forward enormously to getting back to daily journalism in the gallery. I feel I've still got unfinished business there."
Previous political Guyon Espiner left the post in February when he defected to TV3's 60 Minutes. Espiner had been TVNZ's political editor since 2006 and also hosted the Sunday morning programme Q+A for the state broadcaster.
Dann will begin at parliament on May 21 ahead of the budget on May 24.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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