Since the change was announced tvnz.co.nz has received dozens of messages from fans of the show angered by the move. Explaining the reasoning for the move, Jeff Latch, head of TV ONE and TV2, said: "New Zealanders clearly welcomed the opportunity to watch the final of MasterChef Australia in primetime, so this year we are excited to screen at 7.30pm the final action-packed weeks of the Australian MasterChef competition."
He said coverage of the election in October and November will mean the schedule change will remain in place for Coronation Street and "a number of other primetime shows" for that period.Latch said TVNZ is "mindful of the need to provide regular access for Coronation Street viewers" and the decision was made to move the show rather than dump it for three weeks. Latch said he hasn't made a call on what will happen at the end of the three weeks.
