Television New Zealand's mid-morning programme Good Morning will cease filming at its Lower Hutt studios from the end of this year, with up to 12 full time production staff losing their jobs.
TVNZ Chief Executive Rick Ellis said a new programme, which would be would filmed at its Auckland television centre, would be launched next year to replace the show.
"We want to build the show from its current strong base to make it even more attractive to audiences and advertisers," Mr Ellis said.
The move signals the beginning of the end of TVNZ's ownership of Avalon studio with the company looking to lease the studio to third parties from December, when Good Morning shifts out, before selling in 2013, when contracts with current customers, such as Lotto, come up for renewal, he said.
Up to 12 full time equivalent positions and a number of contract positions could be lost as a result of the move, but some may take up positions in Auckland, he said.
Further redundancies were possible in 2013 depending on the future use of the studio.
TVNZ spokeswoman Megan Richards said no decision had been made on whether Good Morning's presenters would be offered positions in the new show.
Mr Ellis said the Good Morning team had done an outstanding job out of Avalon but the need for a large studio facilities for local television production had decreased.
Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace said the move was disappointing, and his thoughts were with the people who were told they could lose their jobs.
"It is disappointing to hear that TVNZ has decided to move their operations from Avalon Studios but I understand the economic reality of their decision," Mr Wallace said.
He hoped third parties would be attracted to the studio.
"Avalon Studios remains a top-quality facility. When TVNZ move on, there may be opportunity for us to attract local and international film crews to the site which will be great for our city," he said.
The TVNZ archive based at Avalon would not be impacted by the changes.
