In the lead up to Christmas New Zealand is seeing plenty of significant changes to long established radio lineups.

Last week Simon Barnett announced his departure from NZME‘s Newstalk ZB afternoons to return to More FM and breakfast alongside Lana Cochrane-Searle, Adam Percival and Paul Ego in 2025.

Barnett had previously worked for More FM for two decades. His Drive co-host James Daniels is also leaving after 47 years in radio. Their show wrapped up last Friday September 13.

This morning Matt Heath (main picture) surprised most people in the industry by announcing he was leaving the Radio Hauraki breakfast show he has co-hosted for more than a decade with great mate Jeremy Wells to leave the music station for Newstalk ZB Afternoons. You can watch and listen to the announcement below:

The creatively talented Matt, who outside his radio role is also a writer, producer, actor, sports commentator and front man for rock band Deja Voodoo, will be joined on air at Newstalk ZB by Tyler Adams (pictured below), who is currently the Afternoons executive producer as well as a senior reporter and fill in host.

Jason Winstanley, NZME Chief Audio Officer, said:

“As the country’s top commercial radio station, Newstalk ZB has hundreds of thousands of loyal listeners across the country, and I know Matt and Tyler will perfectly complement our talented line up of hosts across all day parts.

They are both smart, talented broadcasters and they have terrific ideas and an infectious energy, which I know our audience will enjoy. I am looking forward to officially welcoming them both to Newstalk ZB for their first day on the air next month.”

Matt wraps up on Radio Hauraki, also a NZME station, on Friday October 4 and starts on Newstalk ZB afternoons with Tyler the following Monday October 7. A new co-host to join Jeremy on Radio Hauraki Breakfast will be announced in due course.