Broadcaster Paul Henry says TVNZ has been "backed into a corner" by trying to rush in new Breakfast show hosts Hilary Barry and Jack Tame to combat his show's high ratings.
It is believed Barry and Tame will take over Breakfast next month.
"What they're doing now is what you do when you're backed into a corner," Paul Henry told Fairfax Media.
"We have given them a run for their money haven't we?"
However Henry told Fairfax Media it would be business as usual for his show.