KEY POINTS:
Susan Wood says she only decided this morning to end her two-year tenure in the TVNZ current affairs slot once dominated by Paul Holmes.
Wood today announced that continuing health concerns had prompted her to resign as presenter for TVNZ's current affairs programme Close Up, which she has hosted for just over two years.
She said she would undergo surgery next week to remove a lump on her neck following inconclusive biopsy results.
TVNZ said she would not be returning to the small screen for the immediate future and was going to concentrate on her health and family.
Wood said the health scare had been a wake-up call.
"These things come along and make you re-evaluate the position where you are and what matters in your life," she told National Radio.
"After 21 years (at TVNZ) it seemed the catalyst to getting moving."
Wood said the health issue should not prove too serious.
"Hopefully it's just a lump. If it's not a lump it's one of those I'd say good cancers that aren't too aggressive and aren't too nasty and will be dealt with.
"Whatever happens I'll be well again."
She said she made the decision this morning and wanted to be leaving of choice.
"Most TV presenters' careers end up in a sticky mess and I didn't really want mine to end in a sticky mess, I wanted it to end on my terms," she said.
"I thought 'you want to go, it's time to do something else, the health thing has come up, let them get a clean start to the new year'. I'd never do anything to harm the programme."
Wood's announcement brought to an end an eventful two years since she took over the 7pm current affairs slot vacated by Holmes in November 2004 , after which the Holmes show was renamed Close Up.
Her tenure as host included a pay dispute with TVNZ in November last year, when she took the network to the Employment Relations Authority after it tried to cut her $450,000 annual salary by $100,000 without her consent.
The ERA ruled Wood was a permanent employee, saying TVNZ had no right to change her contract without her agreement.
During the hearing Wood said the dispute had caused her significant distress and was upsetting. Her husband Kevin Stanley said she had trouble sleeping, was stressed and, uncharacteristically, had shouted at her children.
"That was one of the low points in my life," she said. "That was up there with divorce and death for me. That took me a long time to come to terms with but I did."
Sources have told NZPA that Wood believes the stress she suffered during that dispute might have contributed to her current health concerns.
Wood, who said she was "not going to miss people knowing how much I earn", is believed to have surprised her colleagues with her announcement. At most it was expected she would take some leave rather than retire.
Wood faced strong competition when appointed to present Close Up as Holmes had his own show on Prime and TV3 launched Campbell Live with John Campbell once it knew Holmes was leaving TVNZ.
However, Holmes' show was soon canned due to poor ratings and though Campbell Live found an audience, Close Up continues to rate more strongly nationwide.
"We've got half a million viewers, which is more than double our competition, and it seemed like to go out on top on my terms at my time was the right choice," Wood said.
She said she hadn't been sleeping very well and decided not to do a big sign-off show as she might get too emotional.
"I just wouldn't pit myself in a decent interview tonight and let myself down."
During Wood's time at TVNZ she was the company's first Australian correspondent, first host for Midday and Breakfast, fronted Today Live, and had fronted the Holmes/Close Up current affairs programme.
TVNZ head of news and current affairs Bill Ralston said he wished Wood was able to remain with Close Up but his immediate concern was for her health and wellbeing.
"It will be clear now that the past few weeks have been extremely difficult for her, and she has acquitted herself with absolute professionalism," he said.
"I'd like to take this opportunity on behalf of all of us at TVNZ to thank her for being the capable, competent and dedicated person that she is.
"The critical thing right now is that she looks after herself. We will all be hoping for a positive outcome."
From tonight, Mark Sainsbury and Paul Henry will share presenting duties for Close Up until a permanent arrangement is in place in the New Year.
With 25 years experience as a reporter and presenter for TVNZ, Sainsbury looks to be the likely successor to the role.
Other candidates may include CloseUp reporter John Sellwood, who formerly worked alongside Wood on Holmes, and has a string of Qantas awards to his name.
Sunday correspondent Janet McIntyre could also be a contender. Known for her tough interviewing skills, McIntyre has more than 15 years experience in the television industry.
Fellow CloseUp reporters Corinne Ambler and Robyn Janes may also be in the running. Janes has been part of the Close Up team since its inception in 2004 and worked on Holmes prior to that.
Ambler was formerly the Deputy Bureau Editor of TVNZ in Wellington, before joining CloseUp earlier this year.
- NZHERALD STAFF, NZPA
