Mike McRoberts has announced his "journey as a news presenter" will end with the imminent closure of Newshub.
Earlier this month, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed it would shut down its New Zealand news operations. The last Newshub Live at 6pm bulletin will be broadcast on July 5.
By then, McRoberts will have been working at Newshub, formerly 3 News, for more than 23 years.
"Ka mutu taku haerenga hei kaikawe kōrero, he haerenga i hīkoi tahi ai tatou - my journey as a news presenter is coming to an end, a journey we have walked together. Newshub's last six o'clock bulletin... will be my last presenting the news," McRoberts said.
"When I started in this industry as a teenager 40 years ago I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams what an incredible adventure it would be.
"I feel so privileged to have had the opportunities I have had, none more so than in the past 23 years at Newshub, 3 News and 60 Minutes.
"This journey has taken me to some of the biggest stories around the world and to every corner of Aotearoa.
"To the wonderfully talented people I have worked alongside, to the brave and vulnerable who have trusted me to tell their stories, and to our overwhelmingly loyal and supportive audience - thank you.
"This is my 20th year presenting the six o'clock news and it has been the greatest honour representing the very best in the business.
"For the last eight years I've shared that honour with my co-host Sam Hayes and will continue to do so for the next 11 weeks. I couldn't think of a better way to end my presenting career.
"I will miss the whanaungatanga of our Newshub team terribly, but this is the right time for me to step away and pursue new opportunities, whatever they may be.
"E kore e mutu taku mihi nui ki te aroha me te tautoko a te katoa i whai wāhi. I am forever grateful for the love and support of everyone involved."
McRoberts joined TV3 as a news reporter in 2001 and in 2002 took a presenting position with current affairs show 60 Minutes.
In March 2005, he started presenting the 6pm bulletin alongside Hilary Barry. In 2016, Barry left the role and was replaced by Samantha Hayes, who will continue reading the news with him until Newshub's closure.
"There is no one quite like Mike. A bold, brilliant journalist and caring friend, a Kiwi icon. Try walking down the street with him and you'll see what I mean. I adore him, as do Kiwis countrywide," said Hayes in an Instagram post.
"For the past eight years I've had the privilege of sitting next to Mike in the studio. I have learned so much from him, but I have also gained a lifelong friend, and boy I'm going to miss the time we have together each day when this chapter ends.
"Thank you Mike, for your support, advice and aroha - for all the one-liners and laughter. That I have been able to spend these years with you in the studio is one of my life's great treasures."
"Mike is a man of immense mana - he has told stories of great consequence with passion, humanity, and dignity," said Richard Sutherland, Newshub's Interim Senior Director of News.
"He is a true leader, who I have been proud to work alongside. He kotuku rerenga tahi. A white heron flies once."
Following Newshub's closure, a new 6pm bulletin will be provided to Warner Bros. Discovery by Stuff.
