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TVNZ news boss Bill Ralston is being restructured out of his job and is set to be one of the 150 to 200 casualties in a revamp planned for March.
The company-wide review comes as the organisation faces big changes, including the establishment of two new digital free-to-air channels and the launch of a website offering TV show downloads from March.
One of the two new digital channels will screen 24-hour news, so Ralston's present job (and that of his deputy Steve Rowe) may be lost. Other jobs are also under review.
The aim of the proposed changes in the news division is understood to be to cut costs and to develop a "news agency" model to supply content to viewers in a growing range of formats.
Ralston said yesterday that he did not expect the outcome of the review until March and had no imminent plans to leave his job of almost four years.
"Since the day I was appointed people have been speculating about my departure. One day they'll be proved right."
He said that even under a new structure TVNZ would need someone to lead its news offerings.
A well-placed source said Ralston approached TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis for a deal to stay longer than mid-2007 - ideally until late next year.
Ralston said the suggestion he was negotiating an exit package was not correct but joked: "I wish someone had offered me a large amount of money. I'd go and live in Honolulu."
Ralston was appointed in 2003 under former chief executive Ian Fraser, who welcomed his "bit of mongrel" attitude.
Ratings for TV One's flagship One News have since slid and several high-profile staff - including newsreaders Judy Bailey and Richard Long - have departed.
TVNZ spokesman Robin Field said the external consultants were examining the "top tier" of the 10 roles that report directly to Mr Ellis, which included the head of news and current affairs.
He said Mr Ellis would present proposals to the board this month. The new structure was expected to be in place by the end of TVNZ's financial year on June 30.
