New Zealand's first private television network, TV3 (now Three), began broadcasting on 26 November 1989. He's been reading radio and television news since the early 1960s. "Mr Credibility" Philip Sherry made a welcome return to newsreading. 3 National News started out as a half-hour bulletin at 6pm with Sherry at the helm. Sports news was read by Greg Clark, and the weather was presented by Belinda Todd. Half hourly newsbreaks were read by Joanna Paul and screened on The Early Bird Show with Russell Rooster and friends, weekdays from 7am-9am. Neil Waka presented between-programme newsbreaks and the weekend edition of 3 National News at 6pm. The network's first daily current affairs programme was A Current Affair, screening five nights a week at 6.30pm (following 3 National News). Fronted by Genevieve Westcott, A Current Affair explored the topical issues that affected everyday New Zealanders and featured a team of reporters such as Bill Ralston, Keith Davies and Louise Wallace respectively. Unfortunately, ACA didn't last long and axed in February 1990, due to poor ratings and strong competition from TVNZ's Holmes in the 6.30pm slot. 60 Minutes was presented by Amanda Millar; an weekly hour-long programme of hard-hitting investigative reports, interviews and newsmaker profiles from New Zealand and around the world. 60 Minutes originally aired at 6.30pm on Sunday evenings but was dropped temporarily and returned a few months later at its new time of 7.30pm, with Louise Wallace taking over as anchor. 3 Newsline was an emergency hotline where the news tips were sent in from viewers throughout the country. The toll-free number for 3 Newsline was 0800 803 003. TV3's first Executive Director of News and Current Affairs was the late Marcia Russell. Recorded off Bandicam and I do have to apologise for the picture quality. Programme content (c) MediaWorks NZ/TV3 1989

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