'Tough day': Fair Go's final episode to air tonight

May 13, 2024

The consumer affairs show has been on air since April 1977 but TVNZ confirmed last month it won't live on in its current form. (Source: 1News)

Fair Go — as we know it — will air its final episode tonight.

The consumer affairs show has been on air since April 1977, giving New Zealand some of its most memorable television moments.

In April, TVNZ confirmed Fair Go, alongside Sunday, and its Midday and Tonight news bulletins would be axed due to a slump in advertising revenue.

However, the Fair Go brand is set to live on with a new team proposed within the news and current affairs division. This would consist of four new roles and have a focus on long-form consumer and current affairs for digital platforms.

Sunday's final show aired last night, while Midday and Tonight switched off the lights last week.

Speaking to Breakfast this morning, Fair Go presenter Pippa Wetzell said it's "going to be a really tough day".

"But we're also excited to sort of honour the legacy of this phenomenal programme so it'll be a good day as well."

She said that Fair Go had done "so many wonderful things over the years".

Wetzell said that while her mind floats to remembering the big stories "you sometimes forget that there's little moments scattered through every episode for the past 47 years".

These moments, Wetzell added, were what made the show great.

"It's a moment because someone wasn't being listened to. They tried everything they could possibly try. And then to have someone come beside them and say 'we'll go into bat for you', or say 'we'll help you fight for this', and how meaningful that is, it's huge."

She also said that "one of the lovely things about Fair Go" was the team behind it.

The Fair Go team.

"Everybody is so supportive of everybody else. If someone is working on a story and needs a hand, someone else will chip in."

On Fair Go's new form, Wetzell said "Fair Go is still open for business" and encouraged viewers to continue sending emails, letters and making phone calls.

In April, TVNZ chief executive Jodi O'Donnell said the decision to cut Fair Go and the three other shows was "difficult but necessary".

"I want to acknowledge again the significant value and contribution that these shows have made over many years.

"While these decisions are incredibly difficult, we must bring our costs more in line with our revenue and get our business in shape for a digital-first world.

"However, we've listened to our people, and we're pleased to propose a new team to take the lead on long-form consumer and current affairs reporting for TVNZ's current and future digital products."

Fair Go's last day also comes as TVNZ has been told to enter mediation with the E tū union over the way it went about the layoffs.

On Friday the Employment Relations Authority released a ruling ordering that mediation should take place after it found a collective agreement clause obliging it to consult with staff was broken by the broadcaster.

The broadcaster responded, saying: "We are disappointed by the decision today from the Employment Relations Authority. We will now take the time to consider the decision and our next steps."

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