KEY POINTS:
The chance to be a millionaire for dozens of Kiwi contestants will rest in the hands of a former breakfast telly host, sources say.
Mike Hosking is tipped to front Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? when a local version hits our screens.
TVNZ announced last month that it had bought the rights to the popular quiz show, which poses a series of questions that get harder as the show goes on.
But it has not said who will be hosting the show.
A source told the Weekend Herald Hosking would front the show, which would be filmed in Australia to save the cost of building a New Zealand set.
The tousle-haired host, who is best known for fronting TVNZ's Breakfast with Kate Hawkesby, did not return the Weekend Herald's calls.
Hosking has been filling in for Mark Sainsbury on Close-Up while Sainsbury's usual back-up Paul Henry is away. He also has a morning radio show on NewstalkZB.
Hopeful contestants have been lining up for a chance to be in Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?
The host and contestants will be flown to Australia to film at Channel 9's Melbourne studios.
Auditions have been moving up the country in the past few weeks, and it is understood Aucklanders will have their big chance tomorrow.
Kiwi contestants will move up a 15-step prize tree, starting at $100 and rising to $1 million. As in overseas versions of the show, wannabe millionaires will get three "lifelines" for questions they can't answer - phone a friend, a 50/50 elimination and ask the audience.
Suggestions for a suitable host doing the rounds on TV community website Throng have favoured Paul Henry, Richard Long and One News anchor Simon Dallow.
The local version will feature New Zealand-oriented questions and will be filmed in front of a studio audience of Kiwi expats living in Australia.
The show is scheduled to play at 8.30pm on TV One on Tuesday nights.
