Radio New Zealand has cut its music host, Alex Behan, as it prepares to reshuffle some staff.

Behan was the first and so far only casualty of a "review" of RNZ's music delivery. He said the job was "a dream", a position he had worked towards during his long career in radio. So, when RNZ decided not to renew his two-year contract, Behan said it was a shock.

The public broadcaster was undergoing a full review of all "music products and outputs", RNZ head of radio David Allan said. Its review included the music and shows on RNZ National, as well as the Concert station – which played classical music.

Alex Behan/Twitter Radio presenter Alex Behan says Radio Hauraki intentionally mispronounced its own name.

​Behan fronted RNZ National's flagship music show, Music 101, which broadcast on Saturday afternoons. It would continue, Allan said, albeit without its current host.

His last show would be on December 22. He had been with the station for about two years.

Allan said RNZ was hiring a new head of music, who would be responsible for replacing Behan as the host of Music 101.

It was announced yesterday that I will stop presenting @radionzmusic for @radionz on Dec 22. 😞

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to bring artists and audiences together over the last two and a bit years.

Arohanui to all who have contributed and listened and shared 🙏🏻🙌❤️ pic.twitter.com/yYVYve3w26 — Alex Behan (@BehanAlex) December 11, 2018

No other Music 101 staff would be affected, he said. However, until a new permanent host was found, existing staff would need to present the show.

When Behan asked why his contract was not renewed, he said Allan told him RNZ wasn't hiring for the Music 101 role until they hired a new head of music. Allan gave the same reasoning to Stuff.

"I was open to continue working with the team, and I am open to working at RNZ," Behan said.

"This was a chance to really highlight and pay attention to the amazing artists from this country. This was a privilege, a dream role."

​He joined RNZ in 2016, leaving behind a career in commercial music radio. His last job was as a morning host at Radio Hauraki, a station he criticised for purposely mispronouncing its own name. The station's owner, NZME, has since promised to ensure its staff say Hauraki correctly.

"I'm still pretty proud that I did that," Behan said. Although, he doubted NZME would ever take him back. "The fallout from that was pretty huge... but I'd happily work for them, if they'd have me."

Before that, Behan had worked for various radio stations since he was in high school. This wasn't his first sudden job loss, however. Working his first commercial radio job, doing a midnight to dawn shift, Behan said his bosses replaced him with a computer.

With no job lined up for 2019, the outgoing announcer said he might "do some yoga" or start a podcast. Ideally, though, he said he wanted to take up a new position at RNZ.