John Hawkesby

His started his broadcasting career in 1972 when he researched and presented Radio New Zealand's Christian oriented "Reflecting On" programme.

He was due to start presenting alongside Carol Hirschfeld, but after pulling out at the last moment, John Campbell filled his place.

TVNZ's reason for this change was to try and capture some of the chemistry that Judy Bailey and Hawkesby had during their days presenting Top Half.

The change was short-lived, Long returned to the weekday bulletins, presenting alongside Bailey and Hawkesby received a $5.2m payout.

[4] In the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to broadcasting and the community.

Hawkesby (right), after his investiture as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit by the governor-general, Sir Anand Satyanand , at Government House, Auckland , on 28 July 2011