Barry said she'd had "a wonderful and varied career at MediaWorks".

Hilary Barry has resigned from TV3.

It's understood staff were told of her resignation on Friday night, moments before it was officially announced.

Barry is one half of the nightly Newshub presenting team with Mike McRoberts, and anchors bulletins on morning talk show Paul Henry.

Youtube Some of Hilary Barry's finest moments from her time on air.

In an emotional Facebook post, McRoberts said Barry was "the most genuine person I know".



READ MORE:

* 'We love you Hilary': how NZ reacted

* Hilary Barry's mad dash for Airpoints

* Barry sorry-not-sorry for calling Paul Henry an idiot

* NZ has spoken: We love you, Hilary Barry

* Hilary Barry laughs uncontrollably while delivering news

* Hilary Barry off to meet Oprah

* Hilary Barry, Alison Mau celebrate 'throwback Thursday' with throwback hair-dos

"I don't think it's a stretch to say she's changed the media landscape in this country - by making it a little more real."

Paul Henry tweeted at 9pm: "It's with a heavy heart we have to tell you that @Hilary_Barry will be leaving us in a month's time. We love you Hilary."

In a statement, MediaWorks chief executive Mark Weldon said it was Barry's "personal decision to resign".

It's with a heavy heart that we have to tell you that @Hilary_Barry will be leaving us in a month's time. We love you Hilary. — Paul Henry (@PaulHenryShow) April 29, 2016

"On behalf of MediaWorks, I want to thank and pay tribute to Hilary. She is a brilliant broadcaster, highly respected journalist and much-loved personality, who will be missed by myself, colleagues and audiences...

Hilary Barry is leaving TV3, share your thoughts Share your stories, photos and videos. Contribute

"This was a personal decision made by Hilary. We are disappointed to lose her but also acknowledge that, after 23 years, it's very reasonable she might wish to make a change. So, we respect her decision, thank her for her enormous contribution, and wish her the very best."

Acting chief news officer Richard Sutherland said Barry would remain on-air for another month.

SUPPLIED After 23 years with the network, Hilary Barry has quit TV3.

"Hilary has covered every major story that has touched the lives of New Zealanders, from the Christchurch earthquakes to Pike River, the Royal Wedding, the America's Cup, and the death of Nelson Mandela. She is a world class broadcaster and a consummate professional. After 23 years she has decided it's time for a new chapter in her life."

Speculation is already swirling around the circumstances of Barry's departure, including a possible move to rival TVNZ.

TVNZ spokeswoman Georgie Hills said "we don't comment on individual employment situations for our own staff let alone anyone else's".

She said she could not comment further than that when asked about the network hiring Barry.

Barry described her career at MediaWorks as "wonderful and varied".

"I have had a wonderful and varied career at MediaWorks and am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked with some incredibly talented people over the years who have been both mentors and friends.

"I am thrilled to have been a part of the launch and success of Newshub and Paul Henry. I know I'm leaving both performing well and in great shape.

"For now though, I am very much looking forward to recharging my batteries and spending more time with my family. I want to thank MediaWorks, my colleagues and the viewers and listeners. I know that the team will continue to deliver a world class news service across digital, TV and radio."

She and husband Mike Barry, a teacher, have two sons, Finn and Ned.

'NOT THE COMPANY SHE JOINED'

Media commentator Bill Ralston described Barry's resignation as a "tragedy for TV3".

"It's the end of the old TV3 in many ways," he said.

"If you were being malicious you might say it's the final nail in the coffin."

Ralston, the former TVNZ head of news who is now running for Auckland Council, said he suspected Barry was considering leaving for a while.

"I think she's sick of the new management, sick of the way the company has gone. It's not just the loss of John Campbell but the loss of so many old friends of hers. She probably thought it's not the company she joined."

Ralston said TVNZ could be a good fit for Barry to move to. But he thought she would take a while to consider her options.

"I think it's likely she'll take a big cup of tea and a lie down and just relax for a while and then take a role somewhere else, which I suspect will be TV1."

If Judy Bailey was the "Mother of the Nation" then Barry was the Aunty of the nation, he said. That type of rapport and connection with the audience was irreplaceable.

Comments on this article have now closed

Sign up to receive our new evening newsletter Two Minutes of Stuff – the news, but different.