Nation’s Owen tipped to take reins at Checkpoint
Lisa Owen, a host on The Nation and Radio Live, is the most likely replacement for RNZ’s flagship Checkpoint show, according to close sources.
However, RNZ and Owen’s current employer, Media Works, are refusing to comment.
The search to replace John Campbell started in June, when the Checkpoint host announced he would be leaving the public broadcaster in favour of TVNZ.
At the time, RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson said he was open to anyone. He even tweeted his followers, asking them to ‘‘DM [direct message] me if interested’’.
The plan was to have someone in place, ready to take over when Campbell leaves the RNZ studios on September 14. However, when asked how the search was going, an RNZ spokesman said the broadcaster was willing to wait as long as it needed to find ‘‘the best possible person’’.
Neither RNZ nor MediaWorks would be drawn on speculation around Owen’s possible move.
But sources told Stuff that Owen was the top choice to replace Campbell.
Thompson said in June that he wanted to minimise changes to RNZ National’s schedule and did not intend to shuffle presenters to fill the Checkpoint role.
‘‘I’m looking for someone who’s done television... but I wouldn’t rule anything out. I’ve asked everyone to think about it,’’ he said.
‘‘They need to be a terrific journalist and proven broadcaster with a range of broadcast skills.’’
When asked if Morning
Report hosts Guyon Espiner or Susie Ferguson could be moved to the evening show, Thompson said they weren’t ‘‘the first people who leap to mind’’.
‘‘I don’t think big schedule changes are likely at all. We have really high performing programmes with terrific presenters.
‘‘My expectation is that they will continue to do the fantastic job they do on
That’s all I can say,’’ he said.
Owen has not responded to requests for comment.
Media pundits had suggested Owen from the beginning as a good pick to take over
Other suggestions of possible hosts included former broadcaster Rachel Smalley and RNZ journalist Alex Perrottet.
was completely reshaped when Campbell started presenting the show in 2016. His arrival marked the station’s first foray into television, as he presented a simulcast radio and television show.
RNZ said it would continue to develop the programme, including expanding its limited visual capacity.
John Campbell’s arrival marked the station’s first foray into television, as he presented a simulcast radio and television show.