ROSEMARY ABBOTT | National
BOOKING BUST
New Zealand was thrown into further mild confusion yesterday after Leigh Hart confirmed he too would not be returning to TVNZ Breakfast, just hours after Christopher Luxon pulled out of his regular slot.
“I just think it’s time to move on,” said Hart, standing in front of a suspiciously corporate-looking backdrop. “Case-by-case basis now. Mainly cases where I’m not there.”
“Look, I’ve always said media standards matter. And having standards isn’t that hard really, it’s pretty standard. Recently… things haven’t been up to scratch, and they haven’t really been up to standard either.”
Hart confirmed he would still be appearing on alternative platforms.
“I’ll continue my regular interviews with Mike Hosking, my neighbour Gary, and my podcast co-host Matt Ward. So nothing really changes there.”
Despite the absence, Hart reassured viewers the show would go on.
“New Zealanders want balance. They want accuracy and they want trust. And they want to know whether I’m the Prime Minister or just a guy who looks like him from a distance. Frankly, so do I.”
At press time, Hart confirmed he would consider a return under strict conditions.
“Yeah look, never say never. If they meet my demands, have slightly less tricky questions, and maybe just let me host it, then we’ll revisit.”
More to come.
