Key Takeaways
- RNZ captured multiple top honors, including best digital content, best journalist (Sam Sherwood), and best news or sport story for its Jevon McSkimming investigation.
- Newstalk ZB secured network station of the year for the sixth consecutive year, with individual awards for best news/sport reader (Raylene Ramsay) and heartfelt remarks from host du Plessis‑Allan.
- Local and independent stations shone: More FM Northland (local station of the year) and Sun FM (independent station of the year).
- The independent podcast Between Two Beers won overall podcast of the year and best society and culture podcast.
- Music‑focused accolades went to ZM’s Bree and Clint (best music network team) and Hits Dunedin Breakfast with Callum and P (best local music breakfast show).
- Long‑standing industry contributors were recognized for services to broadcasting, including Eti Fuimaono McCarthy, Ray Smith, Clare Sziranyi, Pawan Prasad, Phil O’Brien & Simon Morris, Angela Gordon, and Jon Dunstan.
- Former Radio Broadcasters Association chair Jana Rangooni received an outstanding‑contribution award.
- NZME and MediaWorks leaders praised their teams’ storytelling, journalism, and innovative audio content, highlighting the depth of talent across their brands.
- Editor‑at‑Large Shayne Currie, a veteran NZME journalist with senior editorial roles and a shareholding in NZME, was noted as one of New Zealand’s most experienced media leaders.
Overview of the NZ Radio Awards 2026
The New Zealand Radio Awards 2026, held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre, celebrated excellence across the nation’s audio landscape. Photographs by Annaleise Shortland for the New Zealand Herald captured the glamour of the evening, which saw a sweep of awards for both public and commercial broadcasters. The ceremony highlighted the continued strength of radio journalism, innovative digital content, and vibrant music programming, reinforcing radio’s relevance in an increasingly multimedia environment.
RNZ’s Standout Wins
Radio New Zealand enjoyed a particularly strong night, taking home the award for best digital content—a testament to its investment in online platforms and multimedia storytelling. Senior reporter Sam Sherwood was named best journalist, echoing his recent success at the New Zealand Media Awards. Moreover, RNZ’s investigative piece on Jevon McSkimming earned the best news or sport story – team coverage accolade, underscoring the outlet’s commitment to in‑depth, impactful reporting that resonates with Kiwi audiences.
Newstalk ZB’s Continued Dominance
Newstalk ZB claimed network station of the year for the sixth straight year, a streak that illustrates its sustained leadership in news‑talk radio. Members of the winning team celebrated on stage, and host du Plessis‑Allan delivered an emotional acceptance speech, thanking her husband Barry Soper, mother, colleagues, and listeners. She remarked on the privilege of speaking into a microphone and being heard, humorously noting that even her four‑year‑old does not always grant her that same attention. Individual recognition went to Raylene Ramsay, who was named best news or sports reader, while the Sport Nation breakfast duo of Scotty Stevenson and Israel Dagg captured best sports presenter/commentator honors.
Local and Independent Station Honors
Beyond the national winners, local and independent stations received well‑deserved recognition. More FM Northland was awarded local station of the year, reflecting its strong community engagement and tailored programming for the Northland audience. Sun FM took the independent station of the year prize, highlighting the vitality of non‑network broadcasters that offer diverse, locally focused content. These awards underscore the importance of regional voices in New Zealand’s media ecosystem.
Podcast Excellence: Between Two Beers
The independent podcast Between Two Beers emerged as a double winner, securing both overall podcast of the year and best society and culture podcast. Its success signals a growing appetite for long‑form, conversational audio that explores cultural trends and societal issues with authenticity and humor. The podcast’s triumph also illustrates how independent creators can compete with, and even outshine, established network productions in the podcast arena.
Music and Breakfast Show Awards
Music‑centric categories celebrated both network and local talent. ZM’s Bree and Clint were honored as the best music network team, acknowledging their chemistry, playlist curation, and ability to connect with a youthful audience across the nation. Meanwhile, Hits Dunedin Breakfast with Callum and P earned the award for best local music breakfast show, showcasing how regional breakfast programs can deliver a blend of music, local news, and community interaction that resonates deeply with their listeners.
Recognition of Industry Veterans and Contributors
The ceremony also paid tribute to individuals whose long‑term service has shaped New Zealand broadcasting. Awards for services to broadcasting were presented to Eti Fuimaono McCarthy, Ray Smith, Clare Sziranyi, Pawan Prasad, Phil O’Brien and Simon Morris (of Matinee Idle), Angela Gordon, and Jon Dunstan. Their collective contributions span journalism, production, management, and technical innovation. Additionally, former Radio Broadcasters Association chairwoman and chief executive Jana Rangooni received an outstanding‑contribution award, recognizing her leadership and advocacy for the industry over many years.
Leadership Reflections and Industry Commentary
NZME chief audio officer Jason Winstanley praised the depth of talent across the company’s audio brands, noting that the wins “highlight the depth of talent we have right across our audio brands—from our Newstalk ZB newsroom to our iHeartRadio digital audio and podcast teams, our local stations to our breakfast shows.” NZME chief executive Michael Boggs echoed this sentiment, describing the evening as a “fantastic celebration of what NZME does best—connecting with Kiwis through great storytelling, entertaining content and trusted journalism.” MediaWorks director of content Leon Wratt added that his teams “consistently push the boundaries of what’s possible in audio, delivering content and campaigns that entertain, inform, and create meaningful connections with audiences.”
Shayne Currie’s Profile and Media Influence
Editor‑at‑Large Shayne Currie was highlighted as one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. Currie has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME, including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor, and Herald on Sunday Editor, and retains a small shareholding in the company. His extensive background positions him as a key figure in shaping national news discourse, and his presence at the awards underscores the intertwined nature of print, digital, and audio journalism in today’s media landscape.