TVNZ’s journalism shines in Voyager Media Awards nominations

Barbara Dreaver's tenacious reporting on the relationship between New Zealand and the Cook Islands was nominated in the Major News Event category.

TVNZ’s journalism excellence has been highlighted with a slew of nominations at this year’s 2026 Voyager Media Awards.

The finalists include an investigation into patient care at Nelson Hospital, an exclusive interview with former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster and the breakdown in New Zealand’s relationship with the Cook Islands.

Website 1news.co.nz is a finalist in the Digital News Provider of the Year category. The company has a total of 19 nominations.

TVNZ Chief News and Content Officer Nadia Tolich said the range of nominations highlighted the breadth and versatility of TVNZ's news and current affairs journalism.

"We're delighted to have a strong showing and this is a credit to all the hard work our newsroom produces for Aotearoa every single day," she said.

"It's significant that TVNZ is well-represented in both our traditional formats, including 1 News at 6pm and Q+A, but also in our emerging digital journalism showcased on the TVNZ+ platform."

Winners will be announced at a ceremony on May 22.

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster spoke to Q+A's Jack Tame in December following the McSkimming affair.

The full list of TVNZ finalists:

Digital News Provider of the Year – Sponsored by Voyager Internet

1news.co.nz

Best Investigation

Nelson Hospital – Jessica Roden | 1News / TVNZ

Best Scoop

Andrew Coster – Jack Tame | Q+A with Jack Tame / TVNZ

Best Coverage of a Major News Event

NZ-Cook Islands relationship breakdown – 1News / TVNZ

Best Current Affairs (long) or Documentary – Sponsored by NZ On Air

Interview with former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster – Jack Tame and team | Q+A with Jack Tame / TVNZ

News Journalist of the Year 

Barbara Dreaver | 1News / TVNZ

Best Shortform Video

Stephen Stone Acquittal – Cushla Norman, Arun Jeram and team | 1News / TVNZ

The Queen of Drag – Tory Evans | TVNZ

Best Current Affairs (short) – Sponsored by NZ On Air

Mururoa – Leigh-Marama McLachlan, Joe Whitehead | Marae / TVNZ

Video Journalist of the Year – Sponsored by NZ On Air

Zoe Madden-Smith | Re: News / TVNZ

Best Up and Coming Journalist

Janhavi Gosavi | TVNZ

Best Specialist Reporting

Barbara Dreaver: Foreign Affairs | 1News / TVNZ

Le Mana Pacific Award – Sponsored by ANZ Bank New Zealand

Ann-Tauilo Motuga | TVNZ

Indira Stewart | TVNZ

Gordon McLauchlan Journalism Award

Gill Higgins | TVNZ

Local Journalist of the Year 

Jessica Roden | 1News / TVNZ

Political Journalist of the Year

Maiki Sherman | 1News / TVNZ

Editorial Leader of the Year

Phil O’Sullivan | TVNZ

Best Up and Coming Feature Writer

Luis G. Portillo | TVNZ

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