'Stubborn bastard' broadcaster signs off

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

FAREWELL, 4AM STARTS: Sean Plunket wets his whistle after leaving his job at Radio New Zealand's Morning Report.

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A tipple of Irish whiskey and a few tears marked the end of an era for Sean Plunket, who signed off as co-host of Radio New Zealand's Morning Report yesterday.

The broadcaster, who has worked on the programme for the past 13 years, is heading to Newstalk ZB in January, replacing Justin du Fresne as the new host of the Wellington show, which runs on weekdays from 8.30am to midday.

He will continue to present TV3's The Nation and write a political column for Metro.

Plunket said his last day on Morning Report started off like any other.

"I got up [at 4am] and swore at the alarm clock.

"I didn't really have any emotion at all until 10 minutes to nine. I walked out of the newsroom and all my colleagues were there giving me a round of applause and I have to say I blubbered a bit."

When it comes to highlights, Plunket said there were many, including getting the job back in September 1996, which was a "dream come true".

"9/11 was an amazing day. I went up to Auckland and covered the successful defence of the America's Cup, which was the most fun and dynamic piece of broadcasting I have done. I can also remember sitting there in the studio doing the millennium countdown."

While his relationship with Radio New Zealand d had its ups and downs – he took the national broadcaster to the Employment Relations Authority last year after being banned from writing his column in Metro – he said the reason he had lasted so long on Morning Report was because "I'm a stubborn bastard" and because co-host Geoff Robinson was always there. "I said to him this morning ... I couldn't have done this without you."

Robinson admits it will be strange going to air without Plunket by his side. "He's a broadcaster who just understands what's needed."

Radio Network chief executive John McElhinney said the company was looking forward to Plunket starting on January 25. "He has strong perspectives and is not afraid of asking the hard questions."

Plunket said he was looking forward to the more leisurely start time. "8.30am, I'll tell you, is like gentlemen's hours. I haven't done talkback radio before, so that's going to be a challenge."

He had some advice for his successor on Morning Report. "Listen to Geoff but no-one else, and good luck."

Reporter Todd Niall will be filling in for the rest of the week.

- © Fairfax NZ News