This morning, Sean Plunket signed off Morning Report for the final time, after 13 years.Just hours later, NewsTalk ZB announced it had hired Mr Plunket as the new host of its Wellington weekday 8.30am to midday show.The hard-nosed broadcaster will take up
This morning, Sean Plunket signed off Morning Report for the final time, after 13 years.
Just hours later, NewsTalk ZB announced it had hired Mr Plunket as the new host of its Wellington weekday 8.30am to midday show.
The hard-nosed broadcaster will take up his new role in January, replacing Justin du Fresne, who announced his retirement last week.
That complicated roster in full
Mr Plunket will juggle his NewsTalk duties with a media training gig at PR and lobbying outfit Exceltium, whose principal is NBR columnist and National Party personality Matthew Hooton.
A crowded schedule will also see Mr Plunket becoming a host for TV3’s The Nation.
NBR understands there is a strict conflict of interest clause in Mr Plunket’s TV3 contract to ensure he does not interview anyone he has media trained.
Media circles have long suggested Newstalk ZB announcer Mike Hosking also does media training but are loath to disclose it.
Mr Plunket also has a monthly column for Metro magazine – the original point of contention in the Morning Report man’s long-running ERA feud with his employers at Radio New Zealand.
Beyond the stoush over his desire to write for Metro on the side, NBR understands that senior news staff within Radio New Zealand regarded Mr Plunket as “too right wing” for the state broadcaster.
Niall to fill in
RNZ has yet to announce a replacement for Mr Plunket but has advertised his position externally.
NBR understands RNZ journalist Todd Niall will fill Mr Plunket's Morning Report role in the interim.
This morning, co-presenter Geoff Robinson said that, to the best of his recollection, Mr Plunket was the 33rd person he had been paired with on the RNZ show.
Mr Plunket has worked in journalism for 25 years. Before RNZ, he previously worked in the Parliamentary Press Gallery and was a foundation staff member of 3 News in 1989. He has also worked for TVNZ on programmes such as Holmes and Fair Go.
