TVNZ has said that its iPad app has become the number one free app on the iTunes store.

"Our first priority was to deliver dedicated news content so the iPad app is all about news, sport, weather and what's on TV", said TVNZ's Digital Media General Manager Tom Cotter.

"We have basically launched tvnz.co.nz in one free downloadable iPad app, so there's up to the minute information from One News, including instant access to breaking news and news video plus more coming in the next few weeks".

Upgrades, which will add new features and functionality to the app, are planned for both apps (the iPhone app is already available).

"Our iPhone app has gone gangbusters since launch, we've had over 60,000 downloads since October which kept it as the number one free news app in the iTunes Store for nine months and we're hoping our iPad news app goes as well and it’s had a great start,” Cotter added.

A separate iPad app for TVNZ Ondemand is also being prototyped.