Editorial Leader of the Year Cup
First presented in 2016 to Barbara Fountain, New Zealand Doctor
This award recognises dynamic and innovative leadership at a senior level in journalism and the media, including efforts to create a new product or products; work to rejuvenate a struggling product or increase readership/viewers/listeners; efforts to bring about change or achieve a vision; work to build a cohesive team; examples of going the extra mile to achieve a common goal; work to foster journalism and build audiences across multiple platforms; leadership that benefited colleagues, peers and other staff.
The candidate must have been employed in a leadership role by a New Zealand-based media organisation.
The trophy is a large silver cup with double handles.
Helen Paske Memorial Trophy
First presented in 1989 to Jane England
Helen Paske (1948 – 1989) was a distinguished writer for the New Zealand Listener, becoming its first female assistant editor during the 1980s. Helen started as a proofreader and subeditor for the Dominion before becoming a popular columnist at the erstwhile Sunday Times. She quickly became a distinctive voice on the issues facing all New Zealanders.
This trophy is a large round silver tray with ornate edging in a six-petal shape.
Le Mana Pacific Award
First presented in 2023 to Lydia Lewis
This beautifully carved wooden lava bowl was donated to the Voyager Media Awards as the trophy for the inaugural Le Mana Pacific Award in 2023 by the Pacific Cooperation Foundation.
Photographer of the Year Trophy
First presented in 1973 to Neville Marriner
This award was presented at the very first Awards celebration, which was held at the Auckland Press Club in 1973. Since then it’s been awarded to more than fifty New Zealand photographers.
The large and rather unusual trophy houses an original Rolleiflex TLR (twin lens reflex) camera inside a large rectangular perspex box.
Sir Gordon Minhinnick Memorial Trophy
First presented in 1991 to Tom Scott
Sir Gordon Minhinnick (1902 – 1992) was a cartoonist for the New Zealand Herald for 50 years. He was awarded an OBE in 1950 and in 1976, the year he “retired,” Sir Gordon was knighted for his services to cartooning. He contributed cartoons to the Herald for another decade. Known for his skilled caricature, many of his “victims” proudly hung framed copies of his cartoons on their walls.
The trophy is a large round silver tray with ornate edging.
The McKendry Award for Video Journalist of the Year
First presented in 2000 to Scott Munro
The McKendry Award was first presented at the Qantas Media Awards (television) in 2000 in memory of legendary cameraman Derek McKendry, well known in the industry for his work in New Zealand and overseas before his death in 1999. Television journalist Janet McIntyre had the bronze trophy made by New Zealand sculptor Terry Stringer. It depicts the profile of McKendry’s face with his hand holding a camera lens. The award was in circulation until 2011 after which the television awards were phased out. The McKendry Award is now on permanent loan to the Voyager Media Awards. In his 40-year career McKendry worked as combat cameraman for the ABC in the 60s and 70s, including eight years in Vietnam, and covered conflicts in India, the Middle East, South-east Asia and Africa. During those years he was shot at, wounded, crash-landed in a helicopter, was buried in a bombed bunker and jailed. In 1979, while covering the often-bloody conflict in Zaire, McKendry was shot at. The reporter he was with was killed and a bullet grazed McKendry’s cheek.
He later worked for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, TV3 and TVNZ, filming virtually every New Zealand and Australian Prime Minister from Norman Kirk and Gough Whitlam to Helen Clark. McKendry is remembered fondly by his peers as someone who was bold, brave, resolute, good natured and loved his work.
Te Tohu Kairangi Trophy
First presented in 2019 to Miriama Kamo
Tohu means award; kairangi refers to the finest variety of greenstone, which translates as anything held in high esteem. This award recognises excellence in storytelling demonstrating mātauranga/Māori knowledge and understanding, sensitivity in dealing with kaupapa Māori, kaupapa wairua, adherence to tikanga and/or te reo Māori skill.
This award was originally named ‘Best Reporting – Māori Affairs’ but in 2023 the award name was updated to ‘Te Tohu Kairangi Award’.
The trophy itself is a beautiful, smooth wooden koru with a carved design.
The Sir Terence McLean Trophy
First presented in 1994 to Andrew Sanders
Sir Terence Power (T.P.) McLean (1913 – 2014) was regarded as one of the country’s most prolific and influential sports journalists. Knighted in 1996 for services to sporting journalism, his career spanned more than 60 years. He covered more than 100 All Black tests and wrote 29 books on sport.
This trophy is a large round silver tray with ornate edging.
Voyager Cup for Reporter of the Year
First presented in 1978 to Jim Tully
This award recognises excellence in written news reporting. Judges look for outstanding work by one reporter over a range of stories, demonstrating the skills required to produce great stories under deadline pressure: quality writing, accuracy, research tenacity, and impact.
The trophy is an elegantly curved, goblet-shaped silver cup with decorative double handles.
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