Richard Long (broadcaster)

For the journalist and former editor of The Dominion, see Richard Long (journalist).

Richard Long (born c. 1945) is a former New Zealand broadcaster, initially with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC), subsequently with Television New Zealand (TVNZ). He co-hosted the 6 pm Network News bulletins on TV One from 1988[1] until 19 December 2003,[2] with co-anchor Judy Bailey. He was dropped from weekday news for six weeks in 1999,[3] presenting weekend bulletins alongside Liz Gunn while Judy Bailey and John Hawkesby fronted the weekday bulletins,[1] before TVNZ responded to public pressure and returned him the weekday spot alongside Bailey on 1 March 1999.

During his career at TVNZ he covered the Aramoana massacre in 1990, reporting live from the township,[4] and with Bailey presented the memorial service for yachtsman Peter Blake in 2001.[5] Long and Bailey were presenters of the year at the 2001 Qantas broadcasting awards.[6]

TVNZ announced it would not renew Long's contract on 22 October 2003, with head of news and current affairs Bill Ralston enacting cost-cutting measures and stating a desire to have a single newsreader format.[7] He had an emotional departure on his last day, including an on-air send-off and an honour guard of TVNZ staff.[4]

In 2007, Long provided voice-overs in Hanover Finance advertisements; the Commerce Commission investigated the commercials in 2008 for misleading statements.[8][9] Long later expressed regret about voicing the advertisements, saying that he personally lost $50,000 investing in Hanover.[10]

  1. ^ a b Cleave, Louisa (5 October 2005). "Bailey - three decades on the small screen". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  2. ^ "Long to deliver final news bulletin tonight". The New Zealand Herald. 19 December 2003. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Long to get old news job back". The New Zealand Herald. 1 March 1999. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  4. ^ a b Masters, Catherine (20 December 2003). "Tearful end to 16-year union for Bailey and Long". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  5. ^ Thomson, Ainsley (22 December 2001). "Memorial service that's fit for a hero". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  6. ^ "TVNZ news big winner at broadcasting awards". The New Zealand Herald. 9 June 2001. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  7. ^ Kiriona, Renee (23 October 2003). "Bailey goes solo as Long axed". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  8. ^ "Watchdog probes Hanover". stuff.co.nz. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  9. ^ "Commerce Commission investigating Hanover Finance". The New Zealand Herald. 24 July 2008. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
  10. ^ John Drinnan (4 January 2010). "Long says he lost $50,000 in Hanover". NZ Herald.