KEY POINTS:
One News is to unveil the latest weapon in its bid to maintain its ratings lead over TV3 - a new set.
The makeover will be revealed on tomorrow's 6pm bulletin, but the Herald on Sunday was allowed a sneak peek at the almost-finished studio on Friday.
A kauri and tawa newsdesk, muted silver panels and video-screen walls aim to mix a contemporary look with a native feel.
Head of news and current affairs Anthony Flannery said his brief for the in-house designers was for the set to be warm, flexible, include timber, and "above all, to be New Zealand".
The overhaul will also see new graphics for One News bulletins, which Flannery said would be "simple, cleaner and sharper".
The budget for the studio was reportedly $700,000. Flannery said the end cost was "less than that".
The One News set last received a partial overhaul in January 2006 when the colours were changed.
But the desks, video screens and background had not been renovated for almost six years.
The new set failed to fully win over Auckland interior designer and columnist Daniella Norling, of Trove Design.
"Tell them the 1990s called and they want their breakfast bar back," she quipped, on viewing a photo of the set.
Norling said the decision to stick with blues and greens was wise but an overuse of wood meant the set lacked sophistication.
Flannery said he was "especially happy" with the performance of One News in the ratings this year.
TVNZ is celebrating a third consecutive month of growth for the 6pm bulletin. The station has consistently drawn more than 40 per cent of the total viewing audience this year and has dominated the 25-54 age group ratings for the past five months.
