Here’s a reminder of some of the key updates for 2025:

• one new award has been introduced: Best Specialist Reporting (All Media) for excellence in specialist or beat reporting that demonstrates sustained and knowledgeable coverage of a specific area, topic, issue or subject that is not already covered in any of our other awards.
• Best Photo-Story has been reintroduced to the Photography category, recognising the skill involved in photojournalism reportage – narrating a visual story in a series of photographs that gives viewers insight into an event or topic.
• a reminder that the Gordon McLauchlan Journalism Award, which recognises excellence in lifestyle journalism – including travel, fashion, fitness, wellbeing, food, leisure, the arts and entertainment, is open to work (including that of video journalists and photo-journalists/photographers) published in New Zealand-based newspapers, magazines and/or websites/apps, or broadcast on radio or television during 2024

Please make sure you read the entry and judging criteria carefully for any awards you plan to enter.

The list of finalists will be released in mid-April. The 2025 Voyager Media Awards will culminate with a celebration of winners at Grand Millennium in Auckland on Friday 16 May.

Fri 17 Jan 2025 – Entries open (10am)
Fri 21 Feb 2025 – Entries close (5pm) – EXTENDED DEADLINE MON 24 FEB (5PM)
March 2025 – Judging
Fri 11 Apr 2025 – Finalists announced and tickets on sale
Fri 16 May 2025 – Winners announced at a celebration at the Grand Millennium, Auckland

We are so grateful to have the continued support of our generous sponsors including:
Voyager Internet, Air New Zealand, ANZ Bank New Zealand, NZ On Air, Spark NZ, Sport NZ, Media Chaplaincy New Zealand, Media Copyright Agency (MCA) and Telum Media.

Without their generous support these awards would not be possible.*

Aotearoa’s national Media Awards have celebrated excellence in New Zealand journalism for 52 years. Originally known as the Qantas Press Awards, then the Canon Media Awards, Voyager Internet has been the premier sponsor since 2018. The awards are managed and promoted by the News Publishers’ Association which champions the news media industry of New Zealand.

Please direct any queries about the 2025 Voyager Media Awards to voyagermediaawards@npa.co.nz