Media Releases

Radio New Zealand Announces New Co-Presenter for Morning Report

Released at 4:09 pm on 2 November 2010

Radio New Zealand has appointed seasoned broadcasting journalist, Simon Mercep, as the new co-presenter of New Zealand's highest rating breakfast radio programme, Morning Report.

Simon Mercep is well known to television viewers following his eight years as an investigative journalist on TVNZ's popular consumer affairs show Fair Go, and his last three years with the highly rated current affairs programme Sunday.

Today's announcement is the culmination of a rigorous selection process after Radio New Zealand had received expressions of interest from broadcasters and journalists in New Zealand and overseas.

Simon Mercep has been a journalist for nearly 30 years. He began his career with Radio New Zealand in 1983, and has worked in radio and television for four different public service broadcasters in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Britain.

Radio New Zealand's Head of News, Don Rood, has welcomed Mercep's appointment, noting that the Morning Report vacancy attracted a large, impressive field of applicants.

"Simon has an impeccable track record as a journalist and will contribute significantly to Morning Report's long and proud tradition of setting the news agenda and holding people to account. I am confident that Simon will continue that tradition by using his expertise and professionalism to keep the New Zealand public very well informed. He will ask the hard questions."

Morning Report is New Zealand's highest rating breakfast programme according to the All New Zealand Radio Survey from Nielsen Media. The programme has the biggest radio audience and largest station share of all radio networks in New Zealand.

"Radio New Zealand is this country's only pure public service broadcaster and prides itself on its journalistic rigour. Simon Mercep will enhance its solid reputation as a world class news organisation", said Rood.

Simon Mercep will take up his new role in January, working alongside long-time Morning Report host Geoff Robinson.