Iconic broadcaster to be farewelled

It’s the end of an era as TVNZ confirms Fair Go’s Kevin Milne is leaving after the show finishes later this year.

He’s been in broadcasting for 40 years and is New Zealand’s second most trusted man – after Willie Apiata – according to a Reader’s Digest survey.

Mr Milne is leaving after the introduction of a revamped look and team for the iconic show.

“Last year, at the age of 60, I chose to give away the reporting side of my Fair Go job, and agreed to front until a new presenting team was well established,” he said.

“That was expected to take a year, and it has.

“I leave TVNZ enormously grateful for the wonderful career it has provided me, to say nothing of so much fun.”

Mr Milne gave thanks to TVNZ’s generosity in helping him through two bouts of ill health.

“I can’t express how lucky I’ve been to have been able to play a major role in Fair Go, one of New Zealand’s most successful and worthwhile TV programmes.

“I wish the team every success in the future. I hope the show goes on helping New Zealanders forever.”

Mr Milne got his start in broadcasting with the NZBC in 1970, and joined Fair Go in 1984.

That was the last year it was fronted by Brian Edwards – who, along with many others, has been less than complimentary over the show’s recent overhaul.

"[It has] transformed into little more than a glossier version of Target – trivial, insubstantial, more interested in effect than in doing its job on behalf of those not given a fair go,” Mr Edwards wrote.

“The popular saying applies: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Fair Go wasn’t broke. It has not been out of the top five programmes in living memory. If it is to stay there, it must get back to its job of looking after its customers, the thousands of ordinary Kiwis who have not had a fair go.”

Revamps aside, TVNZ head of news and current affairs Anthony Flannery said Mr Milne had earned a rightful place as one of the best known and most appreciated public figures in the country.

“There are literally generations of New Zealanders who know that when it comes to consumer rights, Kevin Milne is the man.

“There will be many, many individuals, whose battles he took on, who will never forget him and who will always be grateful.

“TVNZ would like to publicly thank Kevin for his commitment, his passion for the cause and for his loyalty over so many years. He has our every good wish.”