Nine star Liz Hayes calls it quits after 44 years
Veteran journalist and news reporter Liz Hayes is bidding farewell to Channel Nine after an incredible 44-year run, leaving fans and colleagues alike in shock.
The iconic reporter, known for her work on shows like 60 Minutes and Today, announced she'll be "pursuing new opportunities" outside the network in 2025.
Hayes, who's been a fixture on Aussie TV screens for decades, joined Nine way back in 1981 with nothing but "a notebook and a typewriter". She quickly made her mark, working her way up from a reporter on 9News to co-hosting Today with Steve Liebmann for a solid decade. But it was her role as a correspondent on 60 Minutes that really cemented her status as a journalism legend.
Throughout her career, Hayes has covered everything from US presidential elections to natural disasters across the globe. She's sat down with prime ministers, Hollywood A-listers, music legends and world-class athletes. But it wasn't just the glitz and glamour that defined her work. Hayes had a knack for shining a light on everyday people caught up in extraordinary situations.
In recent years, Hayes fronted Under Investigation with Liz Hayes, a show that dug into unsolved crimes and complex social issues. Her work on the program even snagged her the 2024 Media Diversity Australia Award for her efforts.
Reflecting on her time at Nine, Hayes said, "When I arrived at Nine I had little more than a notebook and a typewriter, but like my new and far more experienced colleagues, I carried with me an enormous passion for telling stories. I was blessed. I had found my tribe."
But Hayes isn't calling it quits on storytelling quite yet. She's made it clear that she'll "continue to tell" good stories, hinting at exciting new ventures on the horizon. While she's leaving her full-time gig at Nine, the network has said she'll still be part of the family, popping up for special stories and events.
Nine's Director of TV, Michael Healy, sang Hayes' praises in a statement. “Liz Hayes is an Australian television legend and has dedicated most of her career to Nine," Healy said. "She will leave an undeniable legacy.
“Her many accomplishments speak volumes about the type of journalist she is – tenacious, a truth seeker, and above all, a storyteller. I’d like to recognise Liz for the impact she has had on Australian journalism and thank her for all she has done for Nine over the past 44 years.
“We know Liz’s next chapter will be just as successful as her last, and she has our full support.”
As for that next chapter, Liz is keeping her cards close to her chest. But with a book on Australian astronomer Trevor Barry in the works and a promise of more stories to come, it's clear she's not ready to hang up her microphone just yet.
"This is not goodbye," Hayes assured her fans. "This is the beginning of what I see as a great, new, exciting chapter in my life. I hope you'll come along for the ride."
Images: Nine \ Instagram