PHOTOGRAPHY
WINNER: Chris Skelton | Stuff
JUDGES: Darrian Traynor and Mark Stewart
“Chris’s features folio incorporates truly intimate moments capturing vulnerabilities and unguarded moments in his subjects. His ability to put subjects at ease is evident in each and every picture. This combined with good camera craft and a consistent style draws viewers to his images. These factors combined are pivotal in producing strong feature photography.“
FINALISTS:
Braden Fastier | Nelson Mail / Stuff
David Unwin | Stuff
WINNER: Stephen Jaquiery | Otago Daily Times / Allied Press
JUDGES: Darrian Traynor and Penny Stephens
“Stephen’s work showcases many elements and skills required to produce captivating news images. From hard breaking news to quirky observations and quieter feature style work that is thought provoking for the viewer. The judge’s felt he best demonstrated the overall skill of a news photographer.“
FINALISTS:
Dean Purcell | NZ Herald / NZME
George Heard | NZ Herald / NZME
WINNER: Hannah Peters | Getty Images
JUDGES: Alex Coppel and Mark Stewart
“Hannah’s powerful sport folio comprised key moments across a variety of sporting codes. Under trying conditions she displayed excellent technical proficiency, capturing both emotion and peak action in images that provide viewers instant impact. The evident self-editing skills made for a worthy winning entry.“
FINALISTS:
Andrew Cornaga | Photosport Ltd
Joe Allison | Getty Images
WINNER: Richard Robinson | New Zealand Geographic / Kōwhai Media – The End of the Everywhere Bird
JUDGES: Alex Coppel and Chris Hopkins
“Richard Robinson’s ‘The End of the Everywhere Bird’ is a photo essay made in the classic style of the golden age of Photojournalism. In what could be deemed a simple subject matter, Robinson has created a captivating and immersive story with a strong visual narrative and excellent editing. Individually, each image stands out through strong composition and technicality and the weaving of human elements into the story is clever story telling. His dedication to the subject is telling and made this entry a clear stand out.”
FINALISTS:
David Unwin | The Post / Stuff – Hīkoi mō te Tiriti
Stephen Jaquiery | Otago Daily Times / Allied Press – For Dear Life
WINNER: Iain McGregor | The Press / Stuff
JUDGES: Chris Hopkins and Penny Stephens
“Iain McGregor’s folio showed a high level of creative and technical excellence. McGregor has given the audience a well edited blend of quiet reflective moments with hard news. Both knowing when to stand back and when to come in close to record the emotion. His sports imagery demonstrates a fantastic use of composition and skill on the world stage. The judges commend him for his all round excellence across a variety of situations.”
RUNNER UP:
Mike Scott | NZ Herald / NZME
FINALIST:
Chris Skelton | The Press / Stuff
AUDIO, DIGITAL AND VIDEO
WINNER: Andrew Laxon, Chris Knox, Julia Gabel, Joseph Lose, David Fisher, Simon Wilson, Paul Slater, Mike Scott, Adrienne Paul, Lois Turei | NZ Herald / NZME – Whenua: Our land, our history
JUDGES: Briar McCormack and Melissa Gardi
“Whenua: Our Land, Our History is bold storytelling that confronts the past while innovatively engaging the present – truly ‘walking backwards into the future’. The seamless blend of interactive maps, data visualisation, video interviews, infographics, audio and written narrative deliver a project that is both meaningful and engaging for a broad audience. It’s data journalism at its best – compelling, insightful storytelling that helps the public understand complex issues.”
FINALISTS:
Kate Newton, Hingyi Khong | RNZ – Smoke Signals
Keith Lynch, Claire Watson | Stuff – ThreeNews: Digital innovation
WINNER: Michael Craig | NZ Herald / NZME – Kaipara District Council votes to disestablish Māori ward
JUDGES: Alexi O’Brien and Briar McCormack
“Michael crafted a powerful report that drew us right into the heart of the story. The clear, compelling narrative unfolded without the need for a voiceover, showcasing skillful visual storytelling. Thoughtful editing, well-judged pacing and effective use of sound combined to create an incredibly impactful piece.“
FINALISTS:
Jared McCulloch | 1 News / TVNZ – Dunedin flood – landslide destroys house
Ripeka Timutimu, Roihana Nuri | Aukaha – Matapihi gang patch ban
WINNER: Indira Stewart | TVNZ – Children of Prisoners
JUDGES: Adam Harley and Janet McIntyre
“Children of prisoners, previously unseen, unheard and presumed unlikely to succeed, step forward to shatter stereotypes and take agency over their lives. The young girls are the stars, but it is reporter Indira Stewart’s connection with them and her masterful storytelling that make this the standout winner in an impressive field of contenders. Indira humbly takes a back seat placing the focus squarely on the children, as she walks us back over their invisible lives, giving them a platform to make change. Shot and crafted with polish, the story reflects the talents and investment of the whole team. Brave, unsettling and yet ultimately hopeful: this is current affairs at its best.”
FINALISTS:
Michael Morrah | NZ Herald / NZME – NZ’s Secret Radioactive Waste Facility
Leighton Heikell | GSTV – Who Killed Ariki?
WINNER: Lisa Taouma | Coconet TV and RNZ – Myths & Maidens
JUDGES: Charlotte Whale and Drew Ambrose
“Myths & Maidens” is a wildly original and thought provoking documentary about female identity in Pasifika society. The producers used creative devices and structured the story in a clever way to make the subject matter compelling. With the western gaze of artists like Paul Gauguin and the historical representation of indigenous societies now facing closer scrutiny, this documentary is an important addition to that very important cultural reckoning.”
RUNNER UP:
Indira Stewart, Rewi Heke, Will Green, Tory Evans, Jorja Parsons, Tom Hood | TVNZ – Gang Mums
FINALIST:
Indira Stewart, Will Green, Charlotte Mckenzie | TVNZ – Believers & Betrayers: Inside the Shincheonji ’Cult’
WINNER: Jonathan Milne, Mike Wesley-Smith, Dave Filoialii, Megan Cumberpatch, Trent Doyle | newsroom.co.nz – Powder Keg
JUDGES: Leigh Pearson and Lynn Freeman
“Powder Keg starts with curiosity and ends with an investigation spanning continents and making global news. Jonathan Milne with Mike Wesley-Smith meticulously researched every angle of the compellingly told AG1 nutritional supplement story. His efforts uncovered local scams, led to the resignation of the CEO, revelations that it was not ‘Made in NZ’, and complaints to the US Food and Drug Administration. Indeed, Jonathan put his ‘body on the line’ by taking the product as part of the investigation. This podcast has international impact and exposes the supplement industry.”
RUNNER UP:
Toby Manhire, Te Aihe Butler, Sophie Dowson, Duncan Greive, Jane Yee | The Spinoff – Juggernaut: The Story of the Fourth Labour Government
FINALISTS:
Daniella Smith, Dane Giraud, Tim Watkin, Phil Vine, Liz Garton, Ben Pierce, Daniel Hurley, Rangi Powick, Lucas Giruad, Briana Juretich-Greig, Zhenya Nagornaya, Marika Khabazi | RNZ and Tama & George Productions – Uncut Diamond Daniella
WINNER: Zoe Madden-Smith | Re: News / TVNZ
JUDGES: Mark Crysell and Tania Page
“A compelling collection of deeply personal stories, where Zoe’s strong connections with her subjects shine through. She not only built trust but also took full creative control—shooting, editing, and writing each piece herself.”
FINALISTS:
Henry McMullan | 1News / TVNZ
Mike Scott | NZ Herald / NZME
WINNER: Stuff Digital
JUDGES: Irene Chapple and Marc Dodd
“In what was a tough year for news providers, the judges were hugely impressed by all entrants and their commitment to innovative and important storytelling. Stuff’s commitment to video, which particularly impressed during live judging week, as well as its agile storytelling and AI exploration gave it the edge.”
RUNNER UP:
NZ Herald / NZME
FINALIST:
RNZ
ALL MEDIA
WINNER: Joel MacManus | The Spinoff
JUDGES: John Roughan and Shaun Bamber
“The three finalists each represent a fine example of different genres of critical writing in this category. Joel MacManus’s entry stood out for its fresh thinking, wit and incisive comment on local and national politics.”
FINALISTS:
Jesse Mulligan | VIVA / NZME
Vaughn Davis | The Post, The Press, Waikato Times / Stuff
WINNER: Bonnie Jansen | NZ Herald / NZME
JUDGES: Rev. Frank Ritchie and Simon Day
“The judges were extremely impressed by the entries across the board. It led to them feeling very hopeful about the future of journalism in Aotearoa. Bonnie Jansen’s work stood out for her unique ability to tell wider social stories through the lens of sport. Each one of her story entries showcased a depth of work, sense of care and trust building that led to nuanced and important narratives.”
FINALISTS:
Fox Meyer | newsroom.co.nz
Maddy Croad | The Press / Stuff
WINNER: Steve Kilgallon | Stuff – The Darleen Tana Saga
JUDGES: Mark Crysell and Michelle Duff
“Exemplifying an excellent investigation, Steve Kilgallon’s reporting into former Green MP Darleen Tana uncovered migrant exploitation by use of doggedness, contacts and compelling storytelling, resulting in the end of a political career. The clear winner in this category.”
FINALISTS:
Thomas Mead, Paul Deady, Laura James | 1News / TVNZ – Buried Trauma: An Investigation into Orana Wildlife Park
Jonathan Milne, Mike Wesley-Smith | newsroom.co.nz – Powder Keg
WINNER: Steve Kilgallon | Stuff – The Darleen Tana Saga
JUDGES: Cate Brett and Miriyana Alexander
“We struggled to settle on just three finalists from the 41 entries vying for best scoop this year – evidence, in our view, of the enduring power and health of investigative journalism in this country. But we had no difficulty in awarding Stuff’s Steve Kilgallon top honours for his investigation into allegations of migrant exploitation at a business associated with Green MP Darleen Tana; important, impactful and meticulously researched journalism which led to the unravelling of the Green MP’s career. “
FINALIST:
Mata with Mihingarangi | RNZ – Mother of missing Marokopa children speaks
WINNER: Sam Sherwood | Stuff
JUDGES: Drew Ambrose, Sam Ackerman and Zac Fleming
“In a competitive field of more than 80 entries, Sam Sherwood’s agenda setting journalism was well written and had monumental impact. The judges said his reporting demonstrated a deep knowledge of the criminal justice system and was the product of having excellent contacts. The work of this year’s entrants was compelling and diverse, demonstrating an extremely high quality of beat-focused journalists that should be commended and supported more than ever in the current media landscape.”
FINALISTS:
Barbara Dreaver | 1News / TVNZ
Jared Savage | NZ Herald / NZME
WINNER: NZ Herald / NZME | – for coverage of the Philip Polkinghorne murder trial
JUDGES: Richard Harman and Mark Crysell
““Extensive, exhaustive coverage across all platforms of a trial that gripped the nation, backed by superb writing and dogged investigative reporting.”
RUNNER UP:
1News / TVNZ – for coverage of the Kīngitanga Tangi
FINALIST:
RNZ – for coverage of the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui
WINNER: Otago Daily Times / Allied Press – Our Health is Priceless
JUDGES: Cate Brett and Miriyana Alexander
“In a tightly-contested category, Our Health is Priceless had the edge for its laser focus on holding the government to account over the future of Dunedin Hospital. Bold front page treatments and scoop after scoop kept locals informed, and the community was mobilised to march in the streets. Campaigning journalism at its finest.”
RUNNER UP:
NZ Herald / NZME – Blood, Sweat and Tears
FINALISTS:
NZ Herald / NZME – Whenua: Our land, our history
WINNER: Indira Stewart | TVNZ – Children of Prisoners; Believers & Betrayers; Israel and the Pacific
JUDGES: Richard Pamatatau and Sue Ahearn
“Indira’s stories were shocking, important and beautifully handled and presented as she probed a cult snaring Pacific Islanders and the challenges for children of the incarcerated. “
FINALISTS:
Justin Gregory, James Nokise, Tim Watkin, Briana Juretich-Greig, Rangi Powick, Dexter Edwards | RNZ – The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior
Tuki Laumea, Damon Fepulea’I, Lisa Taouma | Coconet TV, RNZ – Untold Pacific History – Season 2
WINNER: Te Aniwa Hurihanganui | 1News / TVNZ
JUDGES: Mani Dunlop and Oriini Kaipara
“Te Aniwa’s work is a standout amongst a wealth of Māori journalism excellence in this category. In what was an absolutely historic year for Māori, she demonstrated the power of securing exclusive stories amid the relentless pace of daily news, ensuring these critical conversations took centre stage. While also exhibiting her skills of live rolling coverage for one of the most memorable events in our recent history, the death of Kiingi Tuuheitia – Te Aniwa has always ensured the narratives of our people are at the forefront and being covered in the country’s most viewed news bulletin, in a time when accuracy and fairness and representation is so important. Ka nui te mihi ki a koe, Te Aniwa. E mihi ana hoki ki a koutou o Te Reo Tātāki, i tā koutou whakapau kaha ki te hiki i te mānuka me kohi ake i ngā kōrero i te wā o te ūhunga o Kiingi Tuheitia, i Tūrangawaewae Marae. E rewa ana te pōtae ki a koutou katoa.“
RUNNER UP:
Mihingarangi Forbes | RNZ
FINALIST:
John Boynton | GSTV
WINNER: Sharon Murdoch | Stuff
JUDGES: David Pope and Fiona Katauskas
“Sharon Murdoch presents a confident and engaging drawing style that ranges over local, national and international current affairs. Sharon’s cartoons are rendered in a warm, modern palette and populated with playful caricatures of political figures and everyday citizens. Sharon has honed a deft touch and a skeptical eye, producing work that refuses to collapse into a jaundiced cynicism or nihilism.”
FINALISTS:
Austin Milne | Otago Daily Times / Allied Press
Guy Body | NZ Herald / NZME
WINNER: Dana Johannsen | RNZ
JUDGES: Ben Stanley and Bernadine Oliver-Kerby
“Amongst an outstanding top tier of finalists, the winner’s portfolio shone the brightest. Underscored by deep research, strong reporting principles, and a clear storytelling style, Johannsen sets the standard for all Kiwi sports journalists to follow.”
FINALISTS:
Bonnie Jansen | NZ Herald / NZME
Steve Kilgallon | Stuff
WINNER: Jonathan Milne | newsroom.co.nz
JUDGES: Jenni McManus and Nikki Mandow
“Jonathan’s entry shows he can break big stories, develop and use a wide range of contacts, and write a great article. But we were particularly impressed by his podcast, Powder Keg, which saw him chasing a story – and a recalcitrant high-flying Kiwi CEO – from Invercargill to Colombia and finally a Mexican beach resort.”
FINALISTS:
Nicholas Jones | NZ Herald / NZME
Nikki Macdonald | The Post / Stuff
WINNER: Kim Knight | NZ Herald / NZME
JUDGES: Josie Steenhart and Sharon Stephenson
“Kim nailed every judging criteria, from writing excellence and compelling storytelling to quirky angles. Her three entries were well researched, accessible and genuinely entertaining. Kim exemplifies the fine art of originality in lifestyle journalism.”
FINALISTS:
Bridget Jones | Sunday – Rātapu / Stuff
Hikurangi Jackson | Whakaata Māori
WINNER: Matthew Littlewood | Otago Daily Times / Allied Press
JUDGES: Gordon Harcourt and Todd Niall
“This is excellent local reporting with national impact. Matthew’s three exclusive stories all have strong central revelations based on solid work with sources, they are crisply and clearly written, and all three stories moved from the pages of the ODT into the national conversation.”
FINALISTS:
Alice Parminter | The Valley Profile
Joel MacManus | The Spinoff
WINNER: Michael Morrah | NZ Herald / NZME
JUDGES: Carmen Parahi and John Gillespie
“Amongst the many excellent articles we viewed from New Zealand’s top journalists and finalists, sadly, it was seeing and hearing from desperate patients lined up in the dark, outside an affordable health clinic in Ōtara which stood out in 2024. Michael Morrah has again delivered quality video and text in three news exclusives which will reverberate for years. He is an engaging storyteller who uses all the principles of excellent journalism to grab our attention and explain why we should care.”
FINALISTS:
Barbara Dreaver | 1News / TVNZ
Nadine Roberts | Stuff
WINNER: Andrea Vance | The Post / Stuff
JUDGES: Graeme Muir and Trish Sherson
“Andrea has an unerring ability to land impactful, political scoops year after year that effect real change, often at the highest level as in her wide-ranging coverage of data misuse. This ability is closely matched by her understanding of audience – she is a compelling, must-read journalist for anyone interested in who is pulling the political levers in New Zealand, and why.”
FINALISTS:
Guyon Espiner | RNZ
Jamie Ensor | NZ Herald / NZME and Newshub / WBD
WINNER: Keith Lynch | Stuff
JUDGES: Carolyn Luey, Daryl Holden, Grant McKenzie and Sinead Boucher
“Keith stood out amongst other entrants to Editorial Leader of the Year. Not only was he impressive as a leader, but he also had a strong strategic future vision for Stuff focused on bringing high quality journalism to life in ways that made it distinctive from other news offerings in the market. Keith lead the expansion of Stuff’s journalism into the Three News bulletin alongside other story telling formats that engaged audiences in new ways.“
FINALISTS:
John Hartevelt | RNZ
Richard Sutherland | Newshub / Warner Bros. Discovery
WRITTEN
WINNER: New Zealand Geographic / Kōwhai Media | TVNZ
JUDGES: Nick Burrowes and Pamela Stirling
“New Zealand Geographic is the stand-out winner in its field. A richly-textured showcase for compelling story-telling and fine photography, it is the strongest voice for science, environment and discovery and has created a deeply-engaged and diverse following across its platforms. Last year, New Zealand Geographic embarked on a ground-breaking campaign, with open accounts, to successfully boost subscriptions. This is an excellent example of how a confident, independent brand can thrive within the turmoil of the current media world.”
FINALISTS:
Consumer NZ
The Spinoff
WINNER: VIVA | NZME
JUDGES: Eleanor Black and Sarah Dunn
“Viva presents a cohesive editorial vision executed with care and craft. Each issue offers an array of curated, timely and original content to interest its discerning readers, delivered in a well-designed package. “
FINALISTS:
Sunday | Rātapu / Stuff
Your Weekend | Rā Whakatā / Stuff
WINNER: Maddy Croad | The Press / Stuff
JUDGES: Megan Nicol Reed and Michelle Hurley
“A clear winner with one story the absolute standout of all entries. Maddy wrote with a sensitivity beyond her years about the impact of stillbirth. She wasn’t afraid to give her subjects room to expand, but didn’t shy away from a short, sharp, emotional response either – lifting her writing from reporting to feature writing.“
FINALISTS:
Federico Magrin | Stuff
Harriette Boucher | The Post / Stuff
WINNER: Charlie Mitchell | The Press / Stuff
JUDGES: Damien Venuto and Veronica Schmidt
“Through human-centred storytelling, Charlie Mitchell guides readers through complex narratives that uncover poignant truths about a changing New Zealand. Paragraph after paragraph, the judges discovered a writer deeply devoted to his craft and profoundly respectful of his subjects. His creative flair and evident love of language exemplify the very best of feature writing.“
RUNNER UP:
Bill Morris | New Zealand Geographic / Kōwhai Media
FINALIST:
Pete McKenzie | Freelance – NZ Listener, North & South, NZ Geographic
WINNER: Anusha Bradley | RNZ
JUDGES: Isabelle Oderberg and Phil Taylor
“Amid an extremely impressive cohort of entries, Anusha’s three pieces stood out as exceptional both individually and as a body of work for their newsworthiness, the importance of the public interest journalism therein and her engaging writing and thorough research, which contributed to the colour and depth of the work.“
FINALISTS:
Nicholas Jones | NZ Herald / NZME
Paula Penfold | Stuff
WINNER: Gulf News | Pendragon Press Ltd
JUDGES: Jonathan Milne and Nicola Coburn
“Waiheke is lucky to have the Gulf News, a superb community publication that provides an excellent mix of local stories that matter. Recognising the constraints of a weekly publication, news coverage is intelligently curated, well investigated and presented with context. Jenny Nicholls’ excellent editorials are a standout and are rightly given prominence on page 3. There is no shying away from the big issues, but equally, local people and their achievements are not forgotten. It is an excellent publication and a quality product that is clearly delivering for its community.“
RUNNER UP:
Ashburton Guardian
FINALIST:
Mahurangi Matters / Local Matters
WINNER: Hawke’s Bay Today / NZME
JUDGES: Andrew Holden and Jim Tully
“Hawke’s Bay Today continues to set the standard for regional newspapers with strong news and issues-based reporting, and its impressive coverage of the devastating impact of Cyclone Gabrielle one year on.“
FINALISTS:
Rotorua Daily Post | NZME
Wairarapa Times-Age | Stuff
WINNER: Herald on Sunday | NZME
JUDGES: Jonathan Milne and Nicola Coburn
“The Herald on Sunday has rediscovered its mojo, delivering a top-quality weekend read with punchy stories you want to read till the end. It may not be breaking the most important stories, but it is certainly breaking some of the best, with a compelling lineup of content from start to finish. Herald on Sunday is beautifully curated and clearly thinks of those beyond the Bombays. It’s not afraid to look beyond traditional newspaper sections like business in favour or consumer and finance-related content that is relatable, insightful and useful for readers. It is also not afraid to leave all the other worthy news to its website and to its competitors. Well structured and signposted, and beautifully designed, Herald on Sunday shows that you don’t need more space to fit more in. In a time when pressure on media outlets is at an all-time high, Herald on Sunday has rediscovered what it does best.“
FINALISTS:
Sunday Star-Times | Stuff
Weekend Herald | NZME
WINNER: Otago Daily Times | Allied Press
JUDGES: Andrew Holden and Jim Tully
“The Otago Daily Times has traditionally been very strong with regional news, and this continues in a time of constrained newsrooms. It matches this with excellent coverage of major news events, including the October floods, the Dunedin hospital decision, and very sensitive reporting of the bus stop stabbing. A clear winner.“
FINALISTS:
The Post | Stuff
The Press | Stuff
WINNER: Herald on Sunday | NZME
JUDGES: Carmen Parahi, Jim Tully and Jonathan Milne
“There were four strong contenders for Newspaper of the Year, all winners in their respective categories. Te toa whakaihuwaka, the champion, needed to prove it was the best across multiple aspects of news publishing, and that is why we chose the Herald on Sunday as a clear winner.
The Herald on Sunday had reader impact, clean and modern design layout, and publication quality. It provided tight, layered and compelling copy across all its sections, such as sports and lifestyle. It was clear who its target audiences and markets were, exemplified in the product inserts, and content from across Aotearoa. We appreciated its representation of under-served news communities in its images and reporting.”
FINALISTS:
Gulf News | Pendragon Press Ltd
Hawke’s Bay Today | NZME
Otago Daily Times | Allied Press
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