Musical chairs at TV3 - but are all the presenters happy?

Kate Lynch (L) and Samantha Hayes. Photos / Herald on Sunday

Tensions are rising among the young female 3 News team as the broadcaster quietly announced big changes to their top reporting and anchor positions this week.

The Herald on Sunday has learned Nightline anchor Samantha Hayes has been switched to a reporting role in the 6pm news slot, leaving her sought-after spot open for former European correspondent Rachel Smalley.

According to a source, an email circulated within TV3 confirmed the changes on Friday, leaving reporter Kate Lynch - who has been angling for a permanent anchor position - unhappy.

The changes, which have been known about for some time among staff, have allegedly prompted discussions between Lynch and TV3 rival One News.

However, TVNZ's news and current affairs publicity manger Andi Brotherston said One News did not have a news vacancy and denied the state broadcaster had had talks with Lynch.

Lynch could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Hayes is apparently happy about jumping from being an anchor to a reporter at 3 News, which was always in the pipeline to give her more reporting experience.

"It was always the plan that Samantha would move to 6pm and, as far as I know, she's not upset about it," said the source. "It's time for Rachel to come home, which will be early next year probably, but I imagine Kate's nose is certainly out of joint."

Smalley used to work for 3 News' Auckland desk before she headed to the UK, where she worked at TV3 Ireland and as a producer for London's BSkyB News.

Hayes had earlier confirmed her job switch to the 6pm slot on Twitter last month.

Hayes posted: "From today I'm reporting for 6pm in the lead up to the Copenhagen climate change conference".

She would not comment on the changes when contacted on Friday, and flew out to Copenhagen yesterday.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY