Herald launches daily video news show NZ Herald Focus

Hosts Laura McGoldrick (NZME, SKY Sport), Tristram Clayton (ex Campbell Live), sports broadcaster Tony Veitch and Niva Retimanu (Newstalk ZB). Photo / Supplied

The NZ Herald will launch a daily video news show in April, hosted by some of New Zealand's leading broadcasters, NZME has announced.

NZ Herald Focus will launch in April, screening multiple times a day from NZME's new, fully integrated newsroom in central Auckland. It will use the expertise of journalists and broadcasters from through NZME's national network, including the NZ Herald, Newstalk ZB, Radio Sport and a host of regional titles.

NZME's digital audience of more than 2.5 million* people every month will have access to NZ Herald Focus across all digital platforms including nzherald.co.nz and newstalkzb.co.nz.

NZME CEO Jane Hastings says the new show is another step in the company's strategy to deliver content across all channels.

"It's a logical next step to leverage our extensive NZME newsroom content, across our news, sport and entertainment teams, to now be delivered in video format throughout the day. We've already had success trialling this area with shows such as The Economy Hub and The Vent in sport.

"Commercially there is high demand for quality New Zealand video content. This is another initiative to meet that demand. Under [incoming CEO] Michael Boggs' leadership you will see more innovation and growth."

According to Nielsen, television viewership of the 6pm traditional format news audience in New Zealand has decreased in the last three years. Recent growth in video has helped drive nzherald.co.nz to record audiences.

NZ Herald Focus has been created under the leadership of Managing Editor Shayne Currie, digital and television executive Cameron Death (NBC Universal and Microsoft) and experienced broadcast journalist Belinda Henley (Al Jazeera, 60 Minutes).

NZ Herald Focus will be hosted by Tristram Clayton (ex Campbell Live), Laura McGoldrick (NZME, SKY Sport), Niva Retimanu (Newstalk ZB) and New Zealand's leading sports broadcaster, Tony Veitch.

Currie says the team was selected because of their talent, knowledge and connection with their audience.

"In addition to providing latest news, the team will be offering opinion, analysis and insight with some of New Zealand's leading journalists on issues of the day. We'll call on NZME's rich stable of talent to help tell the stories behind the headlines and meet some fresh faces across politics, business, social media, technology, consumer affairs, sport and entertainment."

Boggs says the new show signals NZME's continued investment in growing the business' digital offering.

"We know from the commercial sector, plus our data and insights, that this is the right time to expand our dominant New Zealand content position. This is the future and NZME is committed to leading it."

NZ Herald Focus will launch mid-April.