TVNZ loses executive producer

TV One's Close Up has suffered a major body blow on the eve of the launch of rival Paul Holmes' new current affairs show.

Close Up is already battling falling ratings - and now has lost its second executive producer in just three months.

Long-time TVNZ employee Hunter Wells confirmed he had resigned on Friday as executive producer for personal reasons.

Mr Wells remains with TVNZ and plans to return in a few days.

Close Up has slipped by 31 per cent in the desired 24-54 age group compared with 2004, while Prime's ratings at 7pm have lifted.

Mr Wells took up the job in December after Pip Keane moved to Prime the month before.

Industry sources suggested Mr Wells was forced to resign because of poor ratings - an allegation he denied - and that he was suffering from stress.

"It's personal reasons. It's absolutely not burnout. Bill Ralston tried to talk me into staying.

"It's one of the toughest gigs in television. But we thrive on this in TV. I love it and I'll be back," he said.

Mr Wells said he now wanted to spend more time with his "neglected" family and was taking a few days off.

TVNZ news boss Bill Ralston said Mr Wells was a great loss but the show would go on.

"Hunter unfortunately has a whole pile of issues he's got to sort out, some personal things that are completely unconnected to the programme. On a Friday before you go into competition on Monday it certainly galvanises the mind," Mr Ralston said.

Mr Wells' departure comes just before former TV One presenter Paul Holmes debuts on his new spot on Prime, the first real shot to be fired in the battle of prime-time TV current affairs.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY