New Zealand broadcaster
Richard Long (born c. 1945) is a former New Zealand broadcaster, initially with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC), subsequently with Television New Zealand (TVNZ). He co-hosted the 6 pm Network News bulletins on TV One from 1988[1] until 19 December 2003,[2] with co-anchor Judy Bailey. He was dropped from weekday news for six weeks in 1999,[3] presenting weekend bulletins alongside Liz Gunn while Judy Bailey and John Hawkesby fronted the weekday bulletins,[1] before TVNZ responded to public pressure and returned him the weekday spot alongside Bailey on 1 March 1999.
During his career at TVNZ he covered the Aramoana massacre in 1990, reporting live from the township,[4] and with Bailey presented the memorial service for yachtsman Peter Blake in 2001.[5] Long and Bailey were presenters of the year at the 2001 Qantas broadcasting awards.[6]
TVNZ announced it would not renew Long's contract on 22 October 2003, with head of news and current affairs Bill Ralston enacting cost-cutting measures and stating a desire to have a single newsreader format.[7] He had an emotional departure on his last day, including an on-air send-off and an honour guard of TVNZ staff.[4]
In 2007, Long provided voice-overs in Hanover Finance advertisements; the Commerce Commission investigated the commercials in 2008 for misleading statements.[8][9] Long later expressed regret about voicing the advertisements, saying that he personally lost $50,000 investing in Hanover.[10]
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