\u201cAfter a review of regular media engagements late last year, we have decided to update our approach,\u201d said a spokesman for the PM.<\/p>\n
\u201cKiwis get their news in different ways \u2013 across radio, television, podcasts and digital platforms, and from next month, there will be three separate morning TV news shows.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe PM will continue to be available to media, including Breakfast on a case-by-case basis.”<\/p>\n
Breakfast host Tova O’Brien interviews Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Photo \/ TVNZ<\/p>\n
Luxon\u2019s decision follows similar moves by previous Prime Ministers.<\/p>\n
John Key axed the regular RNZ Morning Report interview while Jacinda Ardern ended her weekly slot with Hosking on Newstalk ZB.<\/p>\n
Luxon\u2019s decision comes as the National Party reveals it has laid a complaint<\/a> about TVNZ political staff and their behaviour during an incident in Parliament this week.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have separately raised concerns with TVNZ this week about the inappropriate conduct of its staff,\u201d said the PM\u2019s spokesman.<\/p>\n \u201cNew Zealanders want a fair, balanced and accurate media talking to the issues that matter to them. We respect the role of media, but there are standards, and those standards matter.\u201d<\/p>\n A TVNZ spokeswoman said: \u201cOur news team is committed to providing accurate, impartial, comprehensive and in-depth news coverage. Editorial independence is fundamental to this and critical for a free and democratic society. Part of this is holding those in positions of power to account.\u201d<\/p>\n TVNZ also stated that Luxon had declined requests to appear on its Sunday morning Q+A show. He was last interviewed by host Jack Tame in December 2024.<\/p>\n In its official complaint revealed earlier today, the National Party outlined what it called \u201cunacceptable\u201d behaviour of TVNZ press gallery staff during an incident at Parliament this week.<\/p>\n Senior National MP Simeon Brown accused TVNZ news staff of breaching parliamentary rules by following National whip Stuart Smith into a corridor area this week, \u201can area where media interviews are not allowed without express permission\u201d.<\/p>\n Brown wrote on X that TVNZ staff \u201caggressively banged on [Smith\u2019s] door for several minutes, refusing to accept Mr Smith declining to add further to a statement he had already made\u201d.<\/p>\n Brown did not specify how many TVNZ staff were involved.<\/p>\n He further alleged that TVNZ staff \u201cpressured [Smith] about how he would be portrayed on Breakfast the following morning if he did not come out to talk to TVNZ\u201d.<\/p>\n But TVNZ says one of its journalists was asking legitimate questions on behalf of the public, and it has a \u201cdifferent view\u201d of what took place.<\/p>\n