Television host Heather du Plessis-Allan has been ordered off air by MediaWorks after a controversial interview at the weekend.
In the interview with the Herald on Sunday, du Plessis-Allan revealed her plans to leave the company.
The 32-year-old said she was exhausted juggling her job as host of the nightly Story programme with her role as Radio Live Sunday host.
"I was working six days a week, which is really seven. If a radio interview fell over on Saturday you'd have to find something else, so your brain just doesn't turn itself off."
It is understood du Plessis-Allan was told to leave yesterday. Last night's episode was hosted by Duncan Garner and reporter Amanda Gillies. No mention was made of her absence.
Du Plessis-Allan told the New Zealand Herald she did not want to comment.
Fairfax reported Mediaworks news chief Hal Crawford said in an email to staff that there were "inaccuracies" in the interview.
However, Herald on Sunday editor Miriyana Alexander stood by the story, and rejected suggestions it contained inaccuracies.
Du Plessis-Allan has been a broadcast journalist for 10 years, mostly with TVNZ. She began as a newsroom reporter, spent two years on Seven Sharp, then did a stint as a political reporter before she was headhunted to present Story at 7pm, competing head-to-head with Seven Sharp, last August.
The presenter said she and Garner knew in July that Story was being axed.
She is married to political reporter Barry Soper.
