John Campbell Returns to New Zealand Radio as Co-Host of RNZ Morning Report
Veteran journalist John Campbell joins RNZ Morning Report as co-host, marking a major return to the airwaves where his career began.
Mumbai, Dec 19 : For many New Zealanders, John Campbell is more than a broadcaster he is part of the morning routine, a voice that has guided generations through news, stories, and debates. After years on television, tackling high-profile interviews, emotional storytelling, and a few controversies, Campbell is returning to his roots: radio.
Radio New Zealand (RNZ) has announced that Campbell will co-host Morning Report, the country’s flagship breakfast news programme, alongside Ingrid Hipkiss. The move marks a significant homecoming for the journalist, who began his career at RNZ and has remained a household name for decades.
“I’ve missed the urgency”
Campbell described his return as deeply personal, expressing excitement about the daily adrenaline of live news. Over his career, he has hosted shows such as 3 News, Campbell Live, Checkpoint, and Breakfast all fast paced programmes that demanded instant responses to unfolding events. Campbell says he has missed the “racing heart” of breaking news and the immediacy of connecting with current events, which he calls “addictive.”
A childhood soundtrack called Morning Report
Campbell has a long-standing connection to Morning Report. Growing up, he listened to the programme with his parents, and it shaped his understanding of journalism a space where the powerful are questioned, and ordinary voices are heard. For him, co-hosting the show is a “thrilling opportunity” to reflect real New Zealand life every weekday morning.
A changing of the guard at RNZ
Campbell will succeed Corin Dann, who is stepping down to become RNZ’s business editor. Dann replaces Gyles Beckford, retiring from the business editor role but continuing part-time as economics correspondent. Campbell is expected to begin in 2026, with his start date yet to be confirmed.
From “Sparky Plug” to veteran journalist
Campbell’s broadcasting journey began at Victoria University’s Radio Active, where he used the nickname “Sparky Plug” and delivered alternative rugby commentary. After a brief stint as a share trader, he joined RNZ in 1989 as a business reporter, learning journalism on the job through RNZ’s cadetship system.
Television fame and political firestorms
Campbell moved to TV3 in the 1990s, eventually becoming a familiar face on 3 News. A 2002 interview with then Prime Minister Helen Clark over genetically modified corn dubbed “Corngate” made headlines when Clark called him a “sanctimonious little creep” on air.
In 2005, he launched Campbell Live, a current affairs show covering social justice issues such as child poverty, natural disasters, and industrial tragedies. Despite a loyal following, the show was cancelled in 2015, prompting Campbell to return to RNZ and later TVNZ.
Back to radio, then TV
Campbell hosted RNZ’s Checkpoint before moving to TVNZ’s Breakfast and serving as chief correspondent, reporting on societal divisions and other national issues. Beyond news, he has appeared in popular New Zealand shows like Outrageous Fortune, bro’Town, and the film Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
With his return to Morning Report, Campbell brings decades of experience, a trusted voice, and a renewed energy for live radio journalism, promising New Zealanders a familiar yet revitalized presence on their morning airwaves.
