Dallow, 61, joined the state broadcaster in 1993 after earlier working as a barrister. Across his tenure at TVNZ, he has worked on Newsnight, various 1News bulletins as well as fronting Agenda and Q+A before beginning to host the 6pm bulletin in 2006. He will step down on November 28.
Melissa Stokes has been presenting 1News at Six on weekends since 2019. Photo / 1News
Stokes’ career at TVNZ covers two decades, beginning as a reporter on morning news programme Breakfast in 2001. She has gone on to fill a number of reporting roles with the channel.
From 2006 to 2008, Stokes was 1 News’ Europe Correspondent based in London, covering stories such as the conflicts in Israel and Syria. In 2019, Stokes replaced Peter Williams as the 1News at 6pm weekend newsreader.
In 2022, Stokes travelled to the United Kingdom to cover and present TVNZ’s rolling coverage of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
O’Donnell said Stokes was Dallow’s “natural successor”.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have someone of Melissa’s calibre appointed as our lead presenter for 1News at Six.
“She’s done an exceptional job fronting weekends and this experience, alongside the strong leadership role she plays in our newsroom, makes her a natural successor.
“Her enduring relationship with our audience will help guide them through this transition for our biggest show.”
More to come.