Newshub's news director Hal Crawford has resigned, and will leave the company in February.
He is returning to Australia with his family, saying the timing has nothing to do with parent company MediaWorks' desire to sell Three, under which Newshub sits.
"This newsroom is very dear to me and very dear to New Zealand," said Crawford. "It's a special place and very hard to walk away from. I have felt supported by a very fine group of people from the moment I walked in in 2016, and together we have achieved a lot and told some very important stories."
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In his three-and-a-half years at Newshub, Crawford oversaw the launch of The Project and The AM Show, and relaunched the Newshub website, which has seen a steady rise in both audience engagement and revenue.
"I know this has been a really hard decision for Hal and it is one he has made for family reasons," said CEO Michael Anderson.
"He has been talking to me for some months about his family's desire to move home and he confirmed with me a couple of weeks ago he wants to be back in time for the 2020 school year.
"Hal has achieved a huge amount in his time with us. Newshub has gone from strength to strength under his leadership - for which he should be very proud. I am incredibly sorry to see him go and wish him all the very best."
MediaWorks said a search for Crawford's replacement will begin right away.
Newshub.
