NZME celebrates power of journalism at Voyager Awards

New Zealand Media and Entertainment is celebrating its haul at the 2024 Voyager Media Awards last Friday, after taking out a number of supreme awards.

This included Hawke’s Bay Today winning the highly coveted Voyager Newspaper of the Year and Regional Newspaper of the Year. 

In what was an extremely challenging year for the Hawke’s Bay community with extensive flooding causing widespread destruction, the Voyager Media Awards judges commented on how Hawke’s Bay Today’s sustained and comprehensive coverage in the most challenging circumstances was an exemplar of a newspaper serving its community when it mattered most. 

They unanimously agreed Hawke’s Bay Today’s response to Cyclone Gabrielle was an “extraordinary effort in extraordinary times”. 

“The paper wisely used the resources of the NZME group to assist its local team, who reported without fear…calmly providing verified, localised information amid the chaos.” 

The win followed Hawke’s Bay Today’s win at the recent International News Media Association’s 2024 global awards in London for a free edition it produced in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone. It was recognised as the best use of print. 

In other NZME success at the Voyagers, The Weekend Herald took out the award for Weekly Newspaper of the Year, and NZ Herald won Metropolitan Newspaper of the Year. 

Judges said of the Weekend Herald: “It is the complete package: a mix of incisive news and insightful features, replete with compelling reads across business, sport, lifestyle and opinion. The paper balances in-depth, serious journalism and lighter relief in a bundle that demands to be kept within arm’s reach through the course of a weekend.” 

In voting the NZ Herald the Metropolitan Paper of the Year, the judges commented “the New Zealand Herald’s journalistic depth and breadth, striking photography and sharp design are a cut above any other daily newspaper”. 

NZ Herald photographers also took out awards with Michael Craig winning Photographer of the Year award and Brett Phibbs taking out Best Photographer – Sport. Former NZ Herald journalist Sam Sherwood won Reporter of the Year. 

Murray Kirkness, NZME Chief Content Officer, says: “I’m hugely proud of our entire team and in particular, our Hawke’s Bay Today team, ably led by Chris Hyde. Their dedication to sharing local stories and keeping their community informed, even though many of them were personally impacted by the flooding, was nothing short of remarkable.

“It’s fantastic to have them recognised and celebrated this evening following their recent success on a global scale at the INMA Global Media Awards last month. 

“From breaking news to in-depth investigative pieces, covering important local issues, lifestyle and entertainment – NZME’s journalism plays a big part in Kiwis’ lives and it’s fantastic to have that recognised tonight. These accolades serve as a testament to our commitment to high quality, trusted journalism,” says Kirkness.

Matt Wilson, NZME Chief Operations Officer – Publishing, says: “From our journalists, photographers, printing, our customer service and delivery network – producing high quality newspapers is a big team effort and it’s great to have that recognised tonight. The success in newspapers is reflected by a stable, loyal audience and highly engaged readers, which is fantastic for advertisers.” 

Michael Boggs, CEO of NZME says: “At NZME we are committed to protecting the craft of journalism, and it was terrific to celebrate a number of individual awards tonight, and the strength of our teams and the high quality of our journalism. 

“NZME is committed to being New Zealand’s leading news destination and keeping Kiwis in the know, and our print and digital platforms play a huge part in us being able to reach 9 out of 10 Kiwis – a phenomenal number. Thank you to our NZME team for your commitment and efforts, and to our valued advertisers and readers across the country. 

“A big congratulations to all the winners and nominees across our industry – publishing and broadcasting – it was fantastic to celebrate the power of journalism,” says Boggs. 

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