Senior TVNZ staff resign

Two television producers responsible for TVNZ's Breakfast and NZI Business programmes have resigned after the broadcaster asked them to re-apply for only one job.

NZI Business producer Brett Cammell has been with TVNZ for 40 years, and Breakfast producer Tony Davenport for eight years. Fairfax Media understands both resigned this week.

Davenport said he's had an ''absolute ball'' producing Breakfast and has taken voluntary redundancy due to personal circumstances.

"I think it's a fantastic programme and it's a great place to work. I haven't resigned out of negativity or been pushed or anything, it's just personal circumstances.

"It's been a great place to work and it's moving ahead. I was going to look at moving at the end of the year but taking redundancy is a smart thing to do."

Davenport says he imformed TVNZ management "several weeks ago" that he was planning a move.

It is understood Cammell has also taken voluntary redundancy.

The shake-up follows an announcement in July that 15 people stood to lose their jobs at TVNZ, including two current affairs reporters and some producers, editors, camera operators and support staff.

It was estimated the changes would save TVNZ $3 million a year.

In March sources revealed to Fairfax Media that staff had been told changes would also include downgrading the Wellington and Christchurch bureaus and centralising control in Auckland.

There has been a level of unease at the state broadcaster around the continued cost-cutting measures.

The state-owned enterprise announced an after-tax loss of $26m last month, but still paid a $4.87m dividend to the government.

A TVNZ spokesperson said the company had run a closed recruitment process for the combined position but would not comment on the outcome of the process.

- © Fairfax NZ News