The News Publishers’ Association has announced that entries to the 2026 Voyager Media Awards are now open.
The list of awards on offer for the 53rd Media Awards highlights the very best in journalism in Aotearoa. There are 38 premium awards across four categories: All Media; Audio, Digital and Video; Photography; and Written.
Entry criteria changes
The main changes to entry criteria this year are:
- Hard copies will no longer be accepted for the six newspaper and magazine awards*. Specific editions of newspapers, magazines and newspaper magazines must be supplied digitally in place of hard copies.
*Community Newspaper of the Year; Regional Newspaper of the Year; Metropolitan Newspaper of the Year; Weekly Newspaper of the Year; Best Newspaper Magazine; and Best News, Current Affairs or Specialist Publication.
- Junior Feature Writer of the Year has been renamed Best Up and Coming Feature Writer but the entry and judging criteria remains unchanged.
Entries close on February 20, 2026, with the list of finalists being released in April.
Key dates:
- Fri 16 Jan 2026 – Entries open (10am)
- Fri 20 Feb 2026 – Entries close (5pm)
- March 2026 – Judging
- Wed 15 Apr 2026 – Finalists announced and tickets on sale
- Fri 22 May 2026 – Winners announced at a celebration at the Grand Millennium, Auckland
Voyager Media Awards 2026 Sponsors
Premier sponsor: Voyager Internet
Gold sponsors: ANZ Bank New Zealand, NZ On Air
Silver sponsors: Spark NZ, Sport NZ
Bronze sponsor: Media Copyright Agency (MCA)
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