Radio New Zealand's Top Rating Show to be Presented from Auckland
Released at 2:45pm on 29 Apr 2011
Radio New Zealand's agenda setting breakfast news programme, Morning Report, will be co-presented from Auckland and Wellington from Monday 2nd May.
Morning Report's recently appointed co-presenter, Simon Mercep, will be based in Auckland from Monday, while long-time Morning Report host Geoff Robinson will remain in Wellington.
Morning Report regularly rates as New Zealand's most popular weekday radio breakfast programme, attracting listeners throughout New Zealand with its agenda-setting coverage of the day's top news stories.
Radio New Zealand's Head of News, Don Rood, highlighted Simon Mercep's performance since taking on the challenging Morning Report presentation role in January.
"Simon is a seasoned broadcasting journalist and has tackled his new job with energy and enthusiasm. He and Geoff make a great team."
"Having Simon in Auckland will give Radio New Zealand more flexibility on news coverage, and provide the programme with studio quality interviews on major issues and stories in the region".
"Morning Report's large audience demonstrates that New Zealanders have an appetite for high quality, serious news. The public expects Report to keep them informed and Simon and Geoff do that every morning, holding people to account by asking the tough questions," said Rood.
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 five different public service broadcasters in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Britain.
The decision to co-present Morning Report from Auckland recognises the importance of Morning Report as the country's leading news and current affairs programme.
Radio New Zealand already has significant resources allocated to its Auckland operations with a fully staffed newsroom of 15 journalists and specialist correspondents based at Radio New Zealand House in Hobson Street.
In addition Jim Mora's four hour Afternoons programme comes out of Auckland on week days, some of the regular Summer programming is based in the city, there is a features producer and Kathryn Ryan's Nine to Noon has an Auckland based executive producer.
This latest move enhances Radio New Zealand's existing public service broadcasting presence in Auckland.
For further information contact:
Radio New Zealand Head of News
Don Rood 027 271 7809