Forbes was based in Auckland and Ferguson is in Wellington.
It was initially expected that the pair would continue to host the show for at least several weeks, until the new host was found.
But Forbes announced on air on August 22 that she was leaving immediately – the day after being given four weeks’ notice. A source said at the time that Forbes’ sudden move had caught RNZ management “off guard”.
RNZ did not answer questions on that specific assertion at the time, but said Ferguson would continue to host the show ”while a new host is recruited”.
Ferguson was in the Saturday Morning seat on Saturday, August 29, but not in the three weeks since.
Wide-ranging broadcaster Patrick Gower hosted the show on September 5, and Nights host Emile Donovan did the job on September 12. Gower was back in the seat for today’s show.
A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said RNZ had expected Ferguson to keep holding the reins – and that this was unrealistic.
“You’ve got a team that have all lost their jobs, and so it’s just really pretty miserable.”
In addition to the hosts losing their roles, the show’s production team is being cut from five roles to three. RNZ is also establishing a new executive producer role in Auckland.
The claim of a miserable atmosphere – and questions about Ferguson’s absence – were put to RNZ on Friday.
A spokeswoman replied with: “The appointment process for the Saturday Morning presenter is ongoing. With Saturday Morning, guest hosts will be presenting the show while Susie takes a period of leave.”
Mihingarangi Forbes, right, began co-hosting RNZ Saturday Morning with Susie Ferguson in August 2024. Photo montage / RNZ
Ferguson is one of RNZ’s most celebrated broadcasters, having presented the flagship Morning Report show for eight years.
She stepped away from that role in 2022 to be a senior journalist and special presenter for RNZ, before becoming Saturday Morning host, replacing Kim Hill, in early 2024. Forbes became her co-host in August that year.
Media Insider revealed in June that RNZ had met Saturday Morning staff, including Ferguson and Forbes, to outline proposed changes. Sources say staff were shocked.
As Media Insider reported, the changes have been partly driven by challenging ratings in recent times, although the latest GFK survey, released last month, was more encouraging with the show’s listeners up 5900 to 175,000.
Four names appear to be possible replacements, according to sources – Gower and Donovan, as Media Insider has previously reported, as well as Kate Roger and Melissa Chan-Green.
One source said RNZ was “all about numbers and they’ve got to bring numbers up”.
They suspected RNZ might prefer a television name to be the new Saturday Morning host. But while Gower, Roger and Chan-Green were all strong screen broadcasters, radio was a different medium.
“The problem is that it’s a risky strategy because you’re going to potentially lose the core audience.
“I think they’d be very smart to have a balance, to go for an Emile Donovan, who can do heft and depth and also really beautifully craft a structured show.
“It’s like the difference between opera and a musical. They’re both their own thing, but it’s all about the voice, all about the voice and the listening.”
Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.