KEY POINTS:
Reporter Pippa Wetzell is a contender to become Paul Henry's third co-host on the couch of Breakfast after the sudden exit of Kay Gregory.
The 46-year-old Gregory announced yesterday she would leave the show on Friday to spend more time with her family and expand her role as a marriage and funeral celebrant.
The move comes as TV3 gears up to launch its own breakfast show, Sunrise, next month or early in September.
TVNZ head of news and current affairs Anthony Flannery said this month that there were plans to improve Breakfast, which has been criticised because of a lack of rapport between Gregory and Henry.
The state broadcaster was remaining tight-lipped about who would replace Gregory, saying it was still in the process of making a decision.
But it is understood TVNZ reporter Pippa Wetzell, who has recently had a baby and has previously filled in for Gregory on Breakfast, is a hot favourite to fill the role.
Gregory, who took over from Alison Mau as Henry's co-host in 2005, joined TVNZ 10 years ago and was part of the Breakfast team when the show started in 1997.
She had lengthy stints as a One News reporter and weather presenter and told the Herald yesterday she felt sad about leaving.
"[I handed in my notice] about a week or so ago. I've been thinking about it for a while."
Gregory said she left mainly for family reasons.
"I live in Hamilton so I commute. I notched up 10 years at TVNZ a couple of weeks ago and I thought maybe the time has come to give them [my family] a bit more of my time.
"I would also like to be able to do more public speaking and freelance writing without the tiredness that comes from getting up at 3.30 in the mornings five days a week."
She said Breakfast had been fun and she would miss Henry.
When asked about their perceived lack of on-screen chemistry, she said: "He loves to say outrageous things and I love to growl at him.
"He's such fun on a day-to-day basis.
"We laugh until the tears roll down our faces in there in the mornings."
Henry, who has just returned from a two-week holiday, said yesterday Gregory's exit came as a surprise.
"But it is understandable . . . the hours suit very few people and as the years roll on doing it, it does take its toll. Kay will be missed by many people," he said.
New Zealand Broadcasting School head Paul Norris said it wasn't surprising Gregory was leaving given the talk about the lack of a good on-screen relationship between her and Henry.
TVNZ news and current affairs publicist Rachel Lorimer said yesterday Gregory had not been given the boot.
"It's certainly not a redundancy or anything like that. It's purely her decision."
She dismissed criticism of Gregory and Henry's rapport.
"I don't think it's ever something that's been on the radar really here. I think people have always been very happy with the two of them.
"They are great friends and they work really well together, which of course is hugely important when you are doing that early morning shift."
She said a new co-host - either a temporary or permanent replacement - would start on Monday.
"There's nobody lined up at present, although there are obviously quite a few options and a lot of talented people."
