TVNZ's Avalon Studios under review

Television New Zealand is seriously considering selling its under-utilised Avalon Studios in Lower Hutt, but does not yet have a buyer.

While the idea of selling off the purpose-built studios had been canvassed many times in recent years, rumours of a sale were gathering pace, the Dominion Post reported.

If a sale went through, popular shows Good Morning and Lotto could be lost to Auckland.

TVNZ spokeswoman Andi Brotherston confirmed yesterday that the studios' future was under review.

"Ideally we would like to sell it, but we don't have a buyer. It's not officially on the market," she said.

The studios and 10-storey office tower were opened in 1975 as New Zealand's first custom-built television centre but its potential was lost when TVNZ began a move north to Auckland in 1980.

It sold part of the Avalon site, including the office tower, six years ago.

Avalon now has 75 staff, and a capital value of $19.2m.

- NZPA