Tova O'Brien will be the new Breakfast presenter
The political journalist will replace Jenny-May Clarkson on TVNZ's morning TV show.
Journalist Tova O'Brien has been announced as the new co-host of Breakfast, replacing Jenny-May Clarkson on TVNZ's morning show.
Clarkson left her role in November after nearly 20 years working with TVNZ, amidst the network's plans to "refresh" the programme.
"Tova brings a wealth of broadcast experience across television and radio," TVNZ's executive editor Phil O'Sullivan said in a statement on Monday morning.
Jenny-May Clarkson signed off Breakfast on 21 November, 2025.
TVNZ
"She’s delivered numerous high-profile interviews with global figures and provided live, breaking news coverage from across Aotearoa and further afield.
"She’s sharp, energetic, and trusted. Best of all, she understands morning audiences inside out.”
O’Brien currently works as chief political correspondent at Stuff. She worked as a breakfast radio host on Today FM before the radio network was abruptly taken off air one morning in March the following year. She has also worked for Newshub.
O'Brien doesn't yet have a start date for when she will join Chris Chang on Breakfast, although the show is set to return on 26 January, 2026.
In other recent moves at TVNZ, Jack Tame became the new anchor of 1News at Six on the weekend, replacing Melissa Stokes who was named as the new anchor of the weekday bulletin when Simon Dallow stepped down.
