Radio New Zealand has begun its search to replace Morning Report presenter Geoff Robinson.
Robinson last week surprised hundreds of thousands of listeners - and his colleagues - with his unexpected on-air decision to retire in April 2014.
An advertisement was placed on the Radio New Zealand website on Tuesday seeking a new co-host.
Morning Report is the country's most popular and most respected radio news programme. Every day, about 250,000 New Zealanders tune in to listen to three hours of comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the day's top news stories.
Geoff Robinson has been hosting Morning Report for more than 35 years.
"Geoff is going to be a hard act to follow" chief executive Paul Thompson said, "but this is a key role and we are determined to find the very best person to take over the microphone from him."
"The huge respect and affection New Zealanders hold Geoff in has been evident by the response to his resignation from listeners and politicians across the spectrum."
The advert is specific in the qualities Radio New Zealand is looking for in the new presenter, stressing that the successful applicant will be a talented, tough and tenacious journalist.
"This is one of New Zealand journalism's best jobs" Radio New Zealand's Head of News Don Rood said.
"We want someone who is on top of their game who will ask the hard questions our listeners want, and deserve, to have answered."
