1News

• 1. Origins And Network Formation

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  The Wahine disaster in April 1968 changed how New Zealanders received news. An extra-tropical cyclone grounded air traffic, preventing film from being flown to other centres. Footage shot in Wellington could not be broadcast in other cities at the same time. Television news started in 1960 with four main cities operating independently due to technical constraints. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin all ran their own bulletins without connection. The tragedy highlighted a critical need for a nationwide network. In October 1969 the nationwide TV network was completed. Microwave links were established between the four main centres to make this possible. The first network news broadcast went live on the 3rd of November 1969 at 7:35pm. Dougal Stevenson read that historic bulletin. It was called the NZBC Network News. Philip Sherry, Dougal Stevenson or Bill Toft read it on a rotating roster initially. Prior to the building of the Warkworth satellite communications station in 1971 international programmes could not be received live. Footage had to be flown into New Zealand and was often days old.

• 2. Evolution Of The Evening Bulletin

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  TV One began broadcasting on the 1st of April 1975 and moved its evening news bulletin to 6:30 pm. Dougal Stevenson or Bill McCarthy read the news on a rotating roster until the 15th of February 1980. The launch coincided with the opening of the Avalon television centre allowing colour broadcasts. TV2 followed suit on the 30th of June 1975 with its main evening news initially at 7 pm before moving to 6 pm by year end. Jennie Goodwin became the first female newsreader in New Zealand to anchor a nightly television news programme. In February 1982 the main bulletin was revamped to run from 6:30-7:30 pm as a one-hour package. Nationwide contained regional items of national interest alongside sidebars focusing on human interest elements. Late 1983 saw Nationwide dropped while the main bulletin extended to fill time for greater sports coverage. Philip Sherry and Tom Bradley shared the role of newsreader on a rotating roster during the mid-1980s. Weather appeared on alternate nights presented by Veronica Allum and Sue Scott. November 1986 brought a revamp renaming it Network News with Judy Bailey and Neil Billington co-presenting. February 1988 moved the Network News to 6 pm and introduced computer-generated weather graphics. Jim Hickey and Penelope Barr replaced Veronica Allum and Sue Scott as weather presenters. On the 3rd of April 1989 TVNZ launched Holmes presenting Paul Holmes at 6:30 pm reducing the Network News duration back to 30 minutes. October 1989 saw weekend bulletins move from 6:30 pm to 6 pm. November 1989 relaunched the Network News as One Network News due to competition from TV3's 3 National News. December 1989 axed Top Half and Today Tonight while The Mainland Touch and The South Tonight continued until end of 1990.

• 3. Key Presenters And Editorial Leadership

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  Jennie Goodwin was the first female newsreader in New Zealand to anchor a nightly television news programme though Angela D'Audney held that title two years earlier. Richard Long took over from Neil Billington as co-anchor of the Network News in February 1988 beginning a partnership lasting much of the next 15 years. Tony Ciprian moved to the new commercial network TV3 becoming its first sports producer before staying with 3 News for almost 20 years. Judy Bailey signed off for the final time at the end of the 6 pm One News bulletin on the 23rd of December 2005 after 34 years reporting and presenting. She was TVNZ's longest serving newsreader having worked with both NZBC and TVNZ. Simon Dallow remained as sole newsreader during COVID-19 pandemic cost-cutting measures while Wendy Petrie lost her role but stayed as backup presenter across other programmes. Paul Yurisich appointed Head of News and Current Affairs in 2020 resigned from TVNZ in 2022 following a review into hiring former Al Jazeera presenter Kamahl Santamaria. Phil O'Sullivan replaced Yurisich as Executive Editor News and Current Affairs having previously acted in the role since June 2022. Nadia Tolich appointed Chief News and Content Officer in April 2025 leads current operations. Daniel Corbett joined weather team in September 2014 as former BBC meteorologist while Jim Hickey left his position as head weather forecaster in December 2014. Karen Olsen made her final broadcast on the 16th of November 2015 ending nearly two decades of service.

• 4. Digital Transformation And Online Presence

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  TVNZ launched its first digital initiative nzoom.co.nz on the 19th of March 2000 staffed by 20 journalists covering news sports entertainment and home sections. The website ranked second amongst local online news providers behind New Zealand Herald and ahead of Stuff before closing in 2003. It was replaced by a more basic offering designed to extend television programming. December 2008 saw One News relaunch online news product under TVNZ.co.nz domain with broadcaster saying it was upping the ante for digital offerings. July 2015 rebranded news website to One News Now focused specifically on breaking news and video content expected to double video views though some changes criticized for clickbait pivot. May 2016 began syndicating news video with Stuff. On the 7th of October 2024 TVNZ management proposed closing down 1News website by February 2025 as part of NZ$30 million cost-saving measure. On the 29th of October TVNZ abandoned plans to shut down website but proposed expanding news content of TVNZ+ streaming service instead. Simon Dallow steps down as 1News presenter after 20 years on the 28th of November 2025 replaced by Melissa Stokes who previously served weekend presenter while Jack Tame becomes new weekend presenter.

• 5. Major Events And Special Coverage

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  1News has aired specials for international one-off and breaking news events including dissolution of Soviet Union 25-the 26th of December 1991 and 1993 Auckland mid-air collision the 26th of December 1993. Death of Diana Princess of Wales covered the 31st of August 1997 followed by September 11 attacks the 11th of September 2001. Texas City refinery explosion reported the 23rd of March 2005 and 2007 Gisborne earthquake the 20th of December 2007. Sir Edmund Hillary death announced the 11th of January 2008 with state funeral following the 22nd of January 2008. Smolensk air disaster covered the 10th of April 2010 then 2010 Canterbury earthquake the 4th of September 2010. Pike River Mine disaster reported the 19th of November 2010 before 2011 Christchurch earthquake the 22nd of February 2011. 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami broadcast the 11th of March 2011 Hurricane Sandy covered the 30th of October 2012. Seddon earthquake reported the 21st of July 2013 Sydney hostage crisis the 15th of December 2014 United States presidential election the 9th of November 2016 Kaikōura earthquake the 14th of November 2016 Port Hills fires the 17th of February 2017 Harry and Meghan wedding the 19th of May 2018 Jacinda Ardern birth the 21st of June 2018 Christchurch mosque shootings the 15th of March 2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption the 9th of December 2019. COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand covered extensively starting 23-the 24th of March 2020 with daily updates from Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield during 1 pm broadcasts. Death of Elizabeth II reported the 9th of September 2022 state funeral the 19th of September 2022 Cyclone Gabrielle the 14th of February 2023 Coronation of Charles III the 6th of May 2023 New Zealand general election the 14th of October 2023 Attempted assassination of Donald Trump the 14th of July 2024 Death of Tūheitia the 5th of September 2024 2024 United States presidential election the 6th of November 2024.

• 6. Current Operations And Future Challenges

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  TVNZ proposed ending several television programmes including 1News at Midday and 1News Tonight due to decline in advertisement revenue and competition from digital competitors such as Netflix and YouTube. On the 9th of April TVNZ confirmed that 1News' Midday and late night bulletins would be axed by mid-May 2024. Midday broadcast final bulletin on Friday the 3rd of May 2024 hosted by Indira Stewart. Final episode of Tonight aired Friday the 10th of May 2024. In early March 2024 TVNZ proposed 68 job cuts amounting to about 9 percent of staff. During COVID-19 pandemic 1News reverted to single news presenter for 6 pm bulletin with Simon Dallow sole reader while Wendy Petrie lost role but remained backup across other programmes. Late July 2023 saw 1News revamp intro and banner changing colour from blue to black moving name and job to left side. On the 26th of January 2026 1News updated template with minor changes and transitions. Current flagship hour-long bulletin airs nightly at 6 pm hosted by Melissa Stokes weekdays and Jack Tame weekends. Sport presented by Hayley Holt or Andrew Saville weather by Daniel Corbett Erin Conroy or Renee Wright. Bulletin has five segments separated by advertisement breaks covering national international stories sport and weather light-hearted news.