Award-winning political journalist Tova O’Brien will join the Breakfast couch as the show’s new co-host next year, TVNZ has revealed.
O’Brien will join Chris Chang as host in 2026, with the broadcaster replacing Jenny-May Clarkson, who finished up on the show last month.
Breakfast is scheduled to take a Christmas break after December 19, returning on January 26 next year. O’Brien’s start date has yet to be confirmed.
She is currently Stuff’s Chief Political Correspondent and has previously worked as a political editor and a Europe correspondent.
TVNZ Executive Editor - News and Current Affairs Phil O’Sullivan said O’Brien brought a wealth of broadcast experience across television and radio.
“She’s delivered numerous high-profile interviews with global figures and provided live, breaking news coverage from across Aotearoa and further afield. She’s sharp, energetic and trusted,” he said.
“Best of all, she understands morning audiences inside out.”
O’Brien is also no stranger to early starts, having worked as a breakfast radio host on Today FM in 2022.
She was named Political Journalist of the Year at the 2019 Voyager Media Awards and Broadcast Reporter of the Year – News in 2022 and 2023. At the 2021 New Zealand Television Awards she was crowned Best Presenter: News and Current Affairs for Newshub Nation.
O’Brien’s appointment is the latest in a series of presenter changes announced in recent months by TVNZ.
Melissa Stokes has been revealed as the new 1News at Six presenter, after Simon Dallow confirmed plans to step down at the end of November.
Q+A host Jack Tame is the new 1News weekend bulletin presenter.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a terror attack in Bondi and the hero bystander who took on one of the gunmen. (Source: 1News)
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