Sixty apply as Rodney Bryant’s replacement

Press, 13 April 1984, Page 7

Sixty apply as Rodney Bryant’s replacement

Television New Zealand is expected to decide next week on a new presenter to replace Rodney Bryant on the Christchurch regional news programme, “The Mainland Touch.”

The Christchurch regional news editor of TVNZ, Mr John McDermott, said more than 60 had applied for the post. The appointment would be announced on “The Mainland Touch” next week.

Among those who have applied are Colin Lehmann, a network news presenter with Radio New Zealand, and Liz Grant, who has done a variety of work in television and radio. Mike Minehan, a news presenter with Radio New Zealand in Christchurch, and John Dunne, a newsreader on “The Mainland Touch,” have also applied.

Mr Lehmann, aged 44, has worked in broadcasting in New Zealand since 1961, when he moved here from Australia. He has been in regional television in Dunedin and fronted a national television series, “Note for Note.” Mr Lehmann became a born-again Christian in 1978. “That changed my way of thinking; I take all my orders from above now,” he said.

Mrs Grant has worked in a number of television programmes, including “Fourth Estate” and “Beauty and the Beast,” and is a reporter on “The Mainland Touch.” She has been in radio periodically since the early 19705, and is married to A. K. Grant, the “Listener” columnist and co-writer of .the television series, “McPhail

and Gadsby.” Ms Minehan began her career in radio in 1972. She has worked in private radio in Dunedin and Auckland, and for Radio New Zealand in Wellington and Christchurch. She will produce a new radio talkback show presented by George Balani, to begin on April 16. Mr Dunne has been a newsreader on “The Mainland Touch” for two years and a half, and worked for Radio New Zealand for seven years before that. He expects to remain as a newsreader on “The Mainland Touch” should his application for the presenter’s job be unsuccessful.

Mr Bryant will leave “The Mainland Touch” on April 19 to start work on a new national television talkback show in Auckland. An on-screen farewell party is planned for Mr Bryant.