Beloved broadcaster Hilary Barry leaves Newshub

Hilary is one of the nation's most beloved broadcasters. / TV3

After a distinguished career with MediaWorks spanning 23 years, Newshub at 6pm and Paul Henry presenter Hilary Barry has decided to leave the company.

Mark Weldon, Group CEO, said: "On behalf of MediaWorks, 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. She started with TV3 as a news reporter in Christchurch in 1993 and has become one of New Zealand’s favourite personalities on television and radio.

“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."

Richard Sutherland, Acting Chief News Officer said: "Hilary has covered every major story that has touched the lives of New Zealanders, from the Christchurch earthquakes to Pike River, the Royal Wedding, the America's Cup, and the death of Nelson Mandela. She is a world class broadcaster and a consummate professional. After 23 years she has decided it’s time for a new chapter in her life.

"Hilary will remain on-air for another month. An announcement on the presenting line up on both Newhub Live at Six and Paul Henry will be made in the coming weeks.”

Hilary Barry said: "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.

“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."

Hilary's multi award winning career began as a TV3 reporter before she started presenting the 6pm News in 2005. In addition to TV3, Hilary spent ten years as a newsreader at MoreFM and six years at Radio Live, before her current role as presenter on the Paul Henry Show, which she has been doing for the last year.

Hilary has been a presence in audience's lives through every major news event in New Zealand's recent history. She has received both Best News Presenter, TV Guide Best on the Box, and Best Newsreader at the NZ Radio Awards four times. In 2006 she was voted Favourite New Zealand Female Personality at the Qantas Media Awards and in 2011 was awarded Best News/Current Affairs Presenter in the Aotearoa Film and Television Awards for the Christchurch earthquake coverage.