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Newstalk ZB has announced Paul Holmes will quit the breakfast show he has presented for 20 years at the end of 2008.
He will then hand over the breakfast reins to his deputy, Mike Hosking, but will stay with the station focusing on a new show scheduled to air on Saturday mornings from 9.00am to noon until 2011.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of Paul Holmes' show on Newstalk ZB.
Holmes said "excellent, at last", as the announcement was made. He said he was pleased after years of speculation the mantle would be falling to Hosking.
"You are the right person for the job, exactly the right person for the job, I'm so pleased it's you."
Hosking said he never thought this day would come. "It is without question one of the biggest days of my life."
He said he had admired Holmes for a long-time and he hoped he could live up to the standard set.
John McElhinney, The Radio Network's Chief Executive Officer said Holmes had played an integral part in Newstalk ZB's success and the strength of the broadcasting line-up it has developed.
"This announcement is about celebrating our past and, more importantly, our future," he said.
"We're delighted that Paul has agreed to sign on with us for another five years with two of those continuing to anchor the network's breakfast show. Mike will clearly play a more substantive role whilst Paul will continue to remain an integral part of our line-up."
- NZHERALD STAFF, NZPA
