1News History: The Evolution of Television News in New Zealand
Television news in New Zealand has undergone a dramatic transformation since its inception in 1960. What began as a fragmented system of independent regional broadcasts has evolved into a sophisticated digital and broadcast operation. The journey of 1News (formerly One News and NZBC Network News) reflects the broader technological and social changes of the nation, moving from black-and-white videotapes flown between cities to high-definition virtual studios.
The Early Era: Regionalism and the Birth of the Network
In the early 1960s, television news was decentralized. Bulletins were produced independently in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Because a permanent national network did not exist, national news produced in Wellington had to be recorded on videotape and physically flown to other centers, often causing significant delays in reporting.
The limitations of this system became dangerously apparent in April 1968 during the sinking of the passenger ferry Wahine. An extra-tropical cyclone grounded aircraft, preventing the transport of videotapes, while the lack of simultaneous broadcast capabilities meant footage from Wellington could not reach other regions in real-time.
This crisis accelerated the development of a nationwide network. By October 1969, a system of microwave and off-air relay stations was completed. On November 3, 1969, the NZBC Network News made its first live broadcast at 7:35 pm, read by Dougal Stevenson.
Overcoming Technical Hurdles
Early broadcasts were not without glitches. Because the microwave network was incomplete, technicians manually switched between transmitter feeds, causing viewers to briefly see a black slide with a letter in the corner—a signal for transmitters to switch feeds. Furthermore, international news remained delayed until 1971, when the Warkworth satellite communications station allowed for live international reception.
The Transition to TV One and SPTV (1975–1980)
The dissolution of the NZBC in 1975 led to the creation of TV One and TV2. TV One launched on April 1, 1975, moving the evening news to 6:30 pm and utilizing the new Avalon television centre to transition primarily to color broadcasting.
TV2 launched shortly after on June 30, 1975. It is notable for its role in diversifying news anchors; while Angela D'Audney was the first female newsreader two years prior, Jennie Goodwin became the first woman to anchor a nightly television news programme on TV2. In 1976, TV2 was rebranded as South Pacific Television (SPTV) to distinguish it from the former NZBC channel.
The TVNZ Era: Expansion and Innovation
On February 16, 1980, TV One and SPTV merged to form Television New Zealand (TVNZ). The 1980s saw a push toward regionalization, with the introduction of four regional news programmes: Top Half, Today Tonight, The Mainland Touch, and 7:30 South.
The Rise of the 6 pm Bulletin
By 1988, the main bulletin was moved to 6 pm and renamed Network News at Six. This era introduced computer-generated weather graphics and the popular double-headed presentation format, most notably the long-standing partnership between Judy Bailey and Richard Long, which lasted for much of the next 15 years.
In 1989, TVNZ expanded its current affairs offering with the launch of Holmes, hosted by Paul Holmes. This shift reduced the main news bulletin to 30 minutes and saw the introduction of the network's first foreign correspondents in London and Sydney.
Digital Shifts and Modernization (1990–2010s)
The 1990s and 2000s were marked by branding changes and the embrace of the internet. The programme was renamed One Network News in 1989 and finally One News on December 31, 1999. In 2000, TVNZ launched nzoom.co.nz, an early digital news portal that briefly ranked as one of New Zealand's top online news providers.
The mid-2000s brought significant personnel changes. In 2005, Judy Bailey, the network's longest-serving newsreader with 34 years of service, signed off for the final time. She was succeeded by the duo of Wendy Petrie and Simon Dallow.
In 2016, as TV One became TVNZ 1, the news programmes were rebranded as 1News. This period also saw the transition of current affairs from Close Up to Seven Sharp in 2013.
Contemporary Challenges and the Future
The 2020s have brought financial and structural challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic led to cost-cutting measures, including a return to single-presenter bulletins. In 2024, declining advertisement revenue and competition from digital platforms like Netflix and YouTube forced the cancellation of 1News at Midday and 1News Tonight.
Despite these hurdles, 1News continues to evolve. In May 2026, the network introduced a virtual studio with a purple color scheme and a refreshed opening, signaling a move toward a more modern, digitally integrated aesthetic.
Key Facts
- First Live Network News: Broadcast on November 3, 1969, by Dougal Stevenson.
- First Female Nightly Anchor: Jennie Goodwin on TV2.
- Longest Serving Reader: Judy Bailey, who served for 34 years.
- Major Rebrands: NZBC Network News → Network News → One Network News → One News → 1News.
- Technological Milestone: The 1971 Warkworth station enabled live international news.
| Era/Year | Programme Name | Key Feature/Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | NZBC Network News | First live nationwide broadcast |
| 1975 | News (TV One) | Transition to color broadcasting |
| 1988 | Network News at Six | Move to 6 pm timeslot; computer graphics |
| 1989 | One Network News | Competition with TV3 begins |
| 1999 | One News | Simplified branding |
| 2016 | 1News | Rebrand aligned with TVNZ 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was a national network necessary in the 1960s?
Initially, news was produced regionally and flown via videotape, causing delays. The 1968 Wahine disaster proved that this system was unreliable during emergencies, leading to the creation of a microwave and relay network for simultaneous nationwide broadcasting.
Who was the first woman to anchor a nightly news programme?
Jennie Goodwin was the first female newsreader to anchor a nightly television news programme, although Angela D'Audney had been a newsreader two years prior.
What caused the rebranding to One Network News in 1989?
The change was a strategic response to increased competition from the launch of the new broadcasting station TV3 and its programme, 3 National News.
How has 1News adapted to the digital age?
TVNZ has experimented with various digital products, from the early nzoom.co.nz portal to the One News Now website and the current expansion of news content on the TVNZ+ streaming service.
Why were some 1News bulletins cancelled in 2024?
The cancellation of the Midday and late-night bulletins was due to a decline in advertisement revenue and increased competition from digital streaming services like YouTube and Netflix.