Breakfast Host Rawdon Christie Says Goodbye

Hugs, tears, speeches, highlights videos and quite a few pranks - one involving Britney Spears - marked Rawdon Christie's last day on the Breakfast couch.

Christie finishes his up his 13-year career at TVNZ today, and his co-hosts used his final broadcast to pay tribute to the long-serving presenter.

Christie leaves today as part of a shake-up of the Breakfast team that saw newsreader Peter Williams leave on Wednesday.

Nadine Chalmers-Ross finishes up next Friday, before new hosts Jack Tame and Hilary Barry take over on September 19.

Christie used his final moments on the show to deliver a heartfelt monologue, calling his time at Breakfast "the best job in TV".

"This team are the most dedicated hardworking team in the newsroom ... and I know no one else in the newsroom will argue with that."

"We've put 3000 hours of live TV to air," he said. "I've met rock stars, interviewed icons, covered World Cups. Will I miss it? Of course I will. Because I love telling stories ... and that's what matters about what we do for a living."

Christie's co-host Chalmers-Ross described him as "a bit like a husband - sometimes I want to wring your neck, other times I want to kiss you".

He was presented with cake and champagne as credits rolled on his final show.

Rawdon Christie and the Breakfast team on his last day hosting the show. Photo/TVNZ

Christie said he and his family were "going for some new adventures - whatever they may be".

Earlier, Christie's send off started when Melissa Stokes introduced a highlights package of some of his highs - and a few lows.

Stokes teared up when Christie paid tribute to her and thanked her for helping him through his first few days at the network 13 years ago.

"It's a special friendship that will continue for many more years to come," he said.

"Excuse me - this is a special moment for me," Stokes said after the pair hugged.

Seven Sharp and former Breakfast presenter Toni Street also made an appearance to say goodbye.

"I know we'll stay friends and you'll come to my house and eat food and you won't bring anything. You're one of the best friends I've made here," said Street.

Tributes flowed on social media for Christie, with one using Twitter to say she couldn't "face breakfast" without him.

Christie has described hosting the show as "the best job in television, working with the most dedicated team I have ever been a part of".

He has put 3000 hours of live TV to air since he started on the show.

In a statement, he said: "Now is a good time for me to take a break and assess the new commercial opportunities in the fast-evolving media landscape."

- NZ Herald