Farewell to Newshub and TV3 news operation

After nearly 35 years of delivering news to Kiwis on TV3 each night, the network’s news operation will shut down for the final time at 7pm on Friday 5th of July.

TV3’s owner Warner Bros. Discovery announced earlier this year it would be closing the Newshub newsroom due to a rapidly declining advertising market in New Zealand.

Launched originally as 3 National News on 27 November 1989, it sent a serious signal to state-owned broadcaster TVNZ that there was a new kid in town.

Not long into its journey as the country’s first independent TV broadcaster, TV3 faced bankruptcy, and so began a series of financial woes for the network.

Despite the financial challenges and being considered the underdog to TVNZ, TV3’s newsroom had a relentless commitment to quality journalism and keeping Kiwis in the know.

The plucky news service was also a breeding ground for some of New Zealand’s best journalists, including Mike McRoberts, Hilary Barry, Patrick Gower, and proud Tongan journalist Laura Tupou.

Tupou told William Terite on Pacific Mornings she was working at RNZ when the call came to join TV3’s Newshub.

“It was about six years ago. I was working at RNZ as a reporter. The head of the Auckland newsroom at the time was Mel Jones, she got in contact with me and she just wanted a coffee to see how I was feeling, am I interested in TV, that kind of thing, and then it kind of just all went from there.”

It wasn’t long before Tupou was covering and breaking major stories for Newshub. Her story on the cyclone that tore through South Auckland back in 2021 earned her the ‘Best Breaking News Video’ Award at the prestigious Voyager Media Awards the following year.

But Tupou says the stories she’s proudest of are the ones where she got to highlight and showcase the best of Pacific culture.

“I love all the MMT stories I've done. Those have been the most fun. Obviously at Newshub, our colours are red. So I would wear my raincoat, my red Newshub raincoat, and be out there and amongst all the fans and stuff.”

Laura Tupou’s meteoric rise at Newshub is what led to her landing the role of Weekend Presenter for Newshub Live at 6pm. But it was her stint presenting AM that she’ll look back on with pride.

“It was really nice and the show was so cool because we had such a cool following. Lots of people tune in every day and it's part of their morning routine.”

A cross-platform pro

Tupou has been a versatile talent on TV3 over the years, not only presenting Newshub Live at 6pm and AM, but also co-hosting The Project and filling in on Newshub Late.

As the network’s most high profile Pacific broadcaster, Tupou says she’s always endeavored to approach her work through a Pacific lens - even in daily news meetings.

“Having someone from the community with that Pacific perspective, means that you can provide comments in the meetings, and say [for example] hey this is a really big deal for the Tongan community.”

Despite Newshub drawing to a close on Friday 5th of July, Tupou said she’s had a blast being part of a newsroom that’s always punched above its weight.

“I think we’re all about just getting out there and giving it a go. If we have to find that needle in a haystack, we’ll try and find that needle because it’s really important in order to tell that story.

“There are no big personalities here, everyone just mucks in and that’s what I love about it.”

Looking ahead

But with the end of an era comes new beginnings, as Stuff confirmed it will be taking over the 6pm news slot on TV3 from the 6th of July. The new show called “Three News” will be fronted by Samantha Hayes during the week, and Laura Tupou on the weekends.

Tupou says she can’t wait for people to see the new show.

“You'll still get your news, your sport, your weather, just like normal. But obviously you'll see some new faces because Stuff’s team is huge and it's all over the country. There’s a lot of stories that Newshub wouldn't have had that will now make it to the news bulletin because there are more reporters.”

Three News will air its first bulletin at 6pm on Three and Three Now on July 6.