John Campbell announces he is leaving TVNZ Breakfast

TVNZ's John Campbell has announced this morning he is leaving Breakfast for a new job as the network's "chief correspondent."

TVNZ says that journalist Kamahl Santamaria will join Breakfast alongside Jenny-May Clarkson, Matty McLean and Indira Stewart.

Campbell's last day on the Breakfast couch will be on Friday.

TVNZ also released a statement confirming the news, with Campbell saying he's "so up for" his new role.

"Being TVNZ's chief correspondent is a new and really exciting broadcast-digital role, and I am so up for it!"

He also added that he's grateful for his time at Breakfast and will miss his co-stars, Clarkson, Stewart and McLean dearly.

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"They're wonderful people, and we're friends, and that matters when you're starting work at four am, and doing three hours, live, each morning in their company. I'll miss them, but I'll be back on Breakfast at regular intervals."

His new role as chief correspondent will see him working on specials and documentaries, he said.

Santamaria, an Auckland-born journalist, started his career as a sports reporter for Newshub before leaving New Zealand to pursue other ventures, most recently at Al Jazeera.