Ms Curran said TVNZ was unlikely to replace the Dunedin-based reporter position vacated by Megan Martin, who resigned to take up a role with Otago Polytechnic.
At a recent select committee Ms Curran asked TVNZ chief executive Kevin Kenrick if he would commit to replacing Ms Martin in what was a part-time position.
The area in Otago and Southland being covered by reporter Mark Hathaway was bigger than Switzerland, Slovenia and Luxembourg combined, she said.
''Kenrick would not make the commitment and instead suggested there may be further cuts to regional coverage and that TVNZ was basing its resourcing on population concentration.
''I find this very disturbing that a government-owned television network called TVNZ would consider its strategy to be moving towards being more urban-centred and Auckland-focused.
''This is another example of regional New Zealand being left behind and considered unimportant.''
If the community spoke up, there was more chance TVNZ would reconsider its position, she said.
''I believe that regional New Zealand is poorly served by our television media and that TVNZ should be showing leadership and commitment.''
Mr Kenrick said TVNZ did not agree with Ms Curran's ''interpretation'' of the committee hearing and would not expect any media business to commit to maintaining the status quo for any aspect of its business.
''What we will commit to is maintaining 1 News' position as New Zealand's most watched and most trusted news source. We know that achieving this goal will require us to continue covering the stories that matter most to New Zealanders, including international and local stories sourced from rural and urban locations across both the South and North Island.
''TVNZ operates in a rapidly changing media market and the way we cover news will continue to evolve in line with viewer demand and competitive market dynamics. We will also make full use of new technology tools to maximise our news gathering coverage and at the same time minimise our operational costs.
''The one thing that won't change is our commitment to telling the stories that matter to New Zealanders - including those of us based in Otago and Southland.''
As of yesterday, more than 180 people had signed the online petition.
The petition can be found at: www.change.org/p/kevin-kenrick-chief-executive-of-television-new-zealand-regional-reporting-matters-restore-otago-southland-tvnz-reporters
