Blokes out to end female rule at RNZ flagship show

Sean Plunket

Up to now Radio New Zealand's flagship Nine to Noon show has been a strictly female domain but that might be about to change.

Sharon Crosbie, Maggie Barry, Kim Hill and Linda Clark reigned over the timeslot for as long as anyone can remember but the Herald understands the "top-contenders" list is looking decidedly blokeish: Gordon Harcourt, Sean Plunket, John Pagani and Peter Weir.

While RNZ arts show host Lynn Freeman has applied, the Herald understands former TVNZ presenter and BBC broadcaster Anita McNaught is not interested and neither is Maggie Barry, who had been tipped to make a possible comeback.

Harcourt, from the Wellington theatrical family whose sister is actress Miranda, lives in Britain but is understood to have auditioned for the job last month while in New Zealand to get married.

The London-based journalist does a weekly slot on TVNZ's late-night Tonight news show and was a producer of the late-night television arts show Backchat. He occasionally filled in for former host Kim Hill on Nine to Noon.

Plunket, host of RNZ's Morning Report, took action against RNZ when Linda Clark got the job instead of him in 2002. However it is understood he could be a contender this time.

Peter Weir is a long-time journalist and radio producer who has worked for TVNZ. John Pagani was press secretary to political party leader Jim Anderton when Mr Anderton led the Alliance and has also been a radio producer. He lives in France but is understood to be headed home with his family.

But listeners will have quite a wait for an announcement on Clark's replacement as the process could take another six weeks despite the fact she resigned on January 4. RNZ is still doing first-round interviews, some of which will be done this week.

RNZ networks manager John Howson said he did not know when a new host would be appointed.