Hilary, 46, who is one half of the 6pm Newshub presenting team with Mike McRoberts and an integral part of The Paul Henry Show each weekday morning, confirmed she was leaving TV3 on Friday. It’s understood the beloved Kiwi journalist will remain on-air for another month, with an announcement about her replacement to be made in the coming weeks.
In the wake of her shock exit, many of Hilary’s peers and colleagues have publicly praised the popular presenter, with TV3 reporter David Farrier calling her “the most uniquely unhateable person in New Zealand broadcasting”.
“She’s smart, hilarious, bold and cheeky,” he wrote in an opinion piece for Stuff.
Breakfast host Rawdon Christie had plenty of kind words to say about Hilary as well. In an email sent to the Herald, he wrote, “Hilary’s amazing … brilliant broadcaster, brilliant sense of humour, all round brilliant person. She’s welcome on our couch any time.”
Meanwhile, The Paul Henry Show tweeted: It’s with a heavy heart that we have to tell you that @Hilary_Barry will be leaving us in a month’s time. We love you Hilary.”
Hilary herself has yet to make any comment about her resignation on social media, and when she returned to The Paul Henry Show this morning, neither she nor Paul made any reference to her upcoming departure.
Paul and Hilary have worked closely together on The Paul Henry Show.
In her official statement announcing her exit on Friday, Hilary said she was “thrilled” to have helped bring both the Paul Henry and Newshub programs to life, but was leaving to concentrate on spending time with her family and taking time out for herself.
“I have had a wonderful and varied career at MediaWorks and am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked with some incredibly talented people over the years who have been both mentors and friends,” she said in the statement.
“I am thrilled to have been a part of the launch and success of Newshub and Paul Henry. I know I’m leaving both performing well and in great shape.
“For now though, I am very much looking forward to recharging my batteries and spending more time with my family. I want to thank MediaWorks, my colleagues and the viewers and listeners. I know that the team will continue to deliver a world class news service across digital, TV and radio.”
Watch: Hilary Barry tears up as she farewells John Campbell
Hilary’s career with MediaWorks has spanned 23 years, after her early beginnings as a news reporter in Christchurch in 1993.
Mark Weldon, group CEO, paid tribute to her contribution to the company.
“I want to thank and pay tribute to Hilary. She is a brilliant broadcaster, highly respected journalist and much-loved personality, who will be missed by myself, colleagues and audiences.
“This was a personal decision made by Hilary. We are disappointed to lose her but also acknowledge that, after 23 years, it’s very reasonable she might wish to make a change. So, we respect her decision, thank her for her enormous contribution, and wish her the very best.
“She leaves the company on a high, with Paul Henry and Newshub Live at 6pm both performing extremely well.”
Watch: Hilary Barry can’t contain her laughter on live TV
