Newshub presenter Samantha Hayes says news of her employer's impending demise is "heartbreaking" as she recounted her journey to her current job.
Warner Bros. Discovery announced it intends to significantly downsize its New Zealand business later this year, including shuttering its news division Newshub.
The move is the most significant lay-off of journalists by a local media company in years.
Around 300 staff are expected to be affected by the restructuring.
Hayes, who hosts Newshub's 6pm bulletin, posted about the news on Instagram earlier this afternoon.
"The announcement today that Newshub in its entirety could shut down at the end of June is heartbreaking," she said.
"I first walked through the doors of our Auckland office 22 years ago as a 17-year-old on work experience.
"I've been here for the past 18 years, many of my colleagues a lot longer than that - a handful since day one 35 years ago.
"It's a newsroom brimming with talent and enthusiasm, and I just feel so incredibly sad for everyone today.
"I love making live television. I love doing the news… and so we'll keep doing it until the lights go out - see you tonight at 6pm."
Hayes presents Newshub's flagship 6pm bulletin on weeknights alongside Mike McRoberts.
The pair have featured in television commercials and billboards advertising the news service over the past year.
The news anchor took on the job after the departure of Hilary Barry in 2016.
Staff at Newshub were called to an emergency meeting at 11am this morning.
After the meeting, presenter Ryan Bridge told reporters he was "thinking of all of our colleagues at the moment", as he walked from the meeting alongside 6pm presenter Mike McRoberts.
"We've got a news show to put out," McRoberts added.
Newshub journalist Perry Wilton told reporters that the mood was "pretty grim" following the announcement.
"I just think everybody is trying to take it a step at a time, and we're all just gonna do it together. It's an amazing team, and everyone's been working really hard the last couple of months."
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