TVNZ’s excellence in “world class” agenda-setting current affairs and investigative reporting has been honoured at the 2026 New Zealand Media Awards.
The broadcaster picked up wins for its reporting on politics; an investigation into patient safety at Nelson Hospital; the Pasifika community and youth health issues at the awards, held in Auckland last night.
Q+A with Jack Tame won the Best Current Affairs (long) or Documentary category for an exclusive interview with ex police commissioner Andrew Coster in the wake of the Jevon McSkimming scandal.
Coster told the programme that Government ministers had gone too far in alleging there may have been police corruption involved in the McSkimming case, with the disgraced deputy police commissioner sentenced to home detention for possessing child sex and beastiality material.
The ex-police commissioner made explosive allegations, speaking to interviewer Jack Tame. Q+A is made with the support of NZ On Air. (Source: Q and A)
The awards judges said Q+A made the most of an exclusive interview by scrutinising Coster’s “every word with poise, calm and fairness”.
“Throughout the hour, Jack Tame's sharp questioning was not only sophisticated and informed but also underscored the value of meticulous preparation," they said.
"This episode, which set the news agenda for that day and days following, is unwavering accountability interviewing of a world class standard that should be shown to young journalists across New Zealand.”
TVNZ Chief News and Content Officer Nadia Tolich said the awards were a welcome recognition of excellence in current affairs and reporting.
“It’s humbling to have Q+A described as ‘world class’ and Jack and the team deserve the plaudits for all their hard work,” she said.
“We’re also delighted to celebrate several wins for investigative reporting and to acknowledge all of our 19 finalists for their devotion to telling New Zealanders’ stories with compassion and professionalism.”
'Storytelling exemplary'
Former Political Editor Maiki Sherman, who resigned from TVNZ earlier this month, was crowned Political Journalist of the Year.
Her entry included the first interview with Mariameno Kapa-Kingi after her demotion by Te Pāti Māori and an impromptu interview with Fonterra boss Miles Hurrell as he defended high dairy prices at Parliament.
The judges said: “Maiki’s portfolio took the viewer into a highly charged, multi-layered news story, drawing on contacts, knowledge, and insight.
“Her storytelling was exemplary, bringing impact and on-the-ground reality to a powerful political story.”
In her acceptance speech, Sherman said: "Well, well, well. I don't think anyone had Maiki Sherman resigns as political editor, and Maiki Sherman wins best Political Journalist of the Year in the same fortnight on their election card, when it comes to the bingo rounds, but there you go."
"I make light of it, but I will say that it has been quite a difficult time for me personally, and a part of me was nervous to come tonight, but an even bigger part of me was determined to come tonight to steer this current situation in the face and be courageous in doing so - with humility as well."
Sherman also acknowledged the 1News team, and labelled it a "newsroom that I love, and was proud to work in".
"It has been a difficult past few weeks, but this award simply reaffirms to me everything that I've known in my heart - that I am a darn good journalist - sometimes, sometimes, that journalism looks robust, and it is. It's robust across the political spectrum.
"I won this award for my coverage of Te Pati Maori last year. I am courageous, and I am fearless when it comes to holding politicians to account, but that's across the board, and I make no apologies for that."
InDepth reporter Indira Stewart won the Le Mana Pacific Award for Pasifika journalism for the third consecutive year.
Her winning portfolio featured a two-part documentary on the history of Polyfest, an investigation into under-age sex workers and a youth trust’s hostile attempt to convert an Auckland state school into a charter school.
The judges said: “Indira takes a story and reaches into the issues going beyond the who, what where, why, when and how in a way that is challenging and insightful while reminding us that the subjects are people with families and complex lives.”
Reporter Jessica Roden was named Local Journalist of the Year for her exclusive investigation into safety concerns at Nelson Hospital, as doctors warned that low staffing levels were putting patients at risk.
The judge said the investigation was a highly newsworthy, source-driven series “that exposed serious systemic failures and sustained public pressure for accountability”.
“Beginning with a single tip, she developed the story into an exclusive, multi-part investigation of clear local consequence. Her clear communication and strong sourcing ensured the reporting connected with the community and contributed to tangible change.”
'Walk in their shoes'
Re: News reporter Zoe Madden-Smith won the Video Journalist of the Year category for the second straight year.
Her entry featured reporting on chronic fatigue syndrome, rule changes for prescribing ADHD medication and the Government delay in releasing gender affirming healthcare guidelines.
The judges said Madden-Smith’s entry demonstrated an “innate ability to get up close with the talent, allowing us to walk in their shoes as they face complex challenges brought about by a broken health system”.
“Researching, reporting, producing and editing, Zoe shows solid skills as an all-rounder, even setting up two-camera shoots whilst working solo. Zoe's narratives are compelling, tackling misconceptions and questioning how government changes will work or why they are failing.
“With poignant examples, clever use of music, and unique access inside ambulances and laboratories, Zoe’s entry showcases rare depth and care in video journalism.”
Camera operator Tory Evans won the Best Short-form Video section for The Queen of Drag, with judges praising a “beautifully crafted piece of storytelling”.
“Tory weaves together striking visuals, a well-paced edit and confident narrative, allowing Nick's story to unfold in his own words. The balance between the fun and more serious dimensions of drag is handled with care, delivering a timely, surprising and deeply human story.”
Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver finished runner-up in the News Journalist of the Year category.
Dreaver was also a finalist in the Best Coverage of a Major News Event award for her reporting on the relationship breakdown between the New Zealand and Cook Island governments.
Marae’s Leigh-Marama McLachlan and Joe Whitehead were runners-up in the Best Current Affairs (short) section. They investigated health issues faced by the children of NZ Navy staff sent to Mururoa Atoll to peacefully protest France’s nuclear testing regime in the Pacific.
TVNZ’s news website 1news.co.nz was also a finalist in the Digital News Provider of the Year section.
TVNZ received a total of 19 nominations for last night’s awards.
The full list of TVNZ finalists:
Digital News Provider of the Year – Sponsored by Voyager Internet
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
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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