After 10 years of crusades, campaigns and championing the underdog, Campbell Live has aired for the final time, and its marvellous, much-loved figurehead John Campbell has departed TV3. From Pike River to the Canterbury earthquakes, with campaigns for school lunches, political grillings and helping a boy get braces in between – there was never a cause too big or too small for the Wellington-born broadcaster and his team.
John, now married to wife Emma and dad to daughter Alex and son James, first started at TV3 as a junior reporter in 1991, and began reading the news alongside Carol Hirschfeld in 1998, before taking the helm of Campbell Live in 2005.
To farewell John in style, we’ve searched our archives to bring you the best shots of John Campbell through the years. You’ll be missed, John!
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A fresh-faced John first joined TV3 in 1991 as a junior reporter in the network’s Wellington newsroom.
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John joined Carol Hirschfeld in 1998 at the news desk when John Hawkesby left 3News.
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John interviewed Rachel Hunter during a fashion show for the Kiwi model’s swimwear line.
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John interviewed a delighted Valerie Adams moments after the Kiwi shot putter received her much-deserved London 2012 Olympics gold medal. Its original recipient, Belarus’ Nadzeya Ostapchuk, was forced to return the medal after testing positive for banned substances.
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The hard-hitting journalist pulled no punches as the host of a debate between Prime Minister John Key and former Labour leader David Cunliffe only days before the 2014 election.
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The presenter welcomed Ross Taylor and his fellow Black Caps home after their astonishing World Cup success.
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Campbell Live first aired in 2005 and has been produced by Pip Keane (left) since 2009. “So proud of my wonderful team and marvellous John,” she tweeted last month.
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TV3 colleagues have shown their sadness over the presenter’s departure. During 3News, Hilary Barry couldn’t hold back the tears after seeing a tribute to John. “I think Mike might have to read this,” she said, referring to co-anchor Mike McRoberts.
