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Friday 28 February, 2014

Lisa Owen to Host TV3’s The Nation

TV3 has appointed senior journalist Lisa Owen as host of the network’s influential political programme The Nation. Lisa leaves TVNZ to take up her new role, and will also file stories for 3 News.

Director of News and Current Affairs, Mark Jennings says: “Lisa is straight shooting and hardworking. She is a skilled interviewer and a tireless investigator who consistently breaks stories. She has shown leadership in the TVNZ newsroom and is known for mentoring younger reporters.

“I consider Lisa to be one of New Zealand’s top journalists. I’ve tried to hire her before, and am very pleased to secure her for The Nation and the wider news operation, particularly in an election year.”

Lisa Owen joins TV3 from TVNZ; her roles with the state broadcaster include hosting Agenda, and a stint as the One News European correspondent.

The Nation begins its 2014 season tomorrow (Saturday 1 March) with an election year special hosted by Patrick Gower and Simon Shepherd.

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THE NATION

Saturdays at 9.30am and Sundays at 10.10am from March 1

TV3’s influential weekly political current affairs programme returns this weekend, launching with a two-week special edition hosted by Patrick Gower and Simon Shepherd that sets the stage for this year’s General Election.

Over the next two weeks, The Nation will take an in-depth look at the two major parties. 3 News Political Editor Patrick Gower will conduct in-depth interviews with the two men competing to be Prime Minister, questioning their vision for New Zealand and their game plan for the coming election campaign, including likely alliances. Torben Akel will reveal his investigations into both Labour’s and National’s election year strategies and how they think they can win.

This weekend (March 1) sees Gower head-to-head with Labour Leader David Cunliffe in an extended interview. Later, Simon Shepherd will interview new ACT leader Jamie Whyte – just hours before his first major speech, at the ACT party conference – and the party’s Epsom candidate David Seymour.

Gower will be joined by top political analysts Linda Clark, Josie Pagani and Jordan Williams.

On March 8, Gower will interview Prime Minister John Key, scrutinising National’s track record, and asking what the party needs to do to hold onto power in the 2014 Election - and who among the minor parties they are prepared to work with in order to form a government.

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