MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 10 May 2009 for Immediate Release
Radio New Zealand Wins Supreme Award
Radio New Zealand National has been named New Zealand’s best radio station at the 2009 New Zealand Radio Awards in
Auckland.
It’s the first time a non-commercial public service broadcaster has won the radio industry’s top award.
Radio New Zealand National was named Station of the Year ahead of runners-up NewstalkZB and The Rock Network.
In addition to its Station of the Year award, Radio New Zealand also received the award for Best Radio Website and
collected a clean sweep of industry awards for best news including Best Coverage of a News Story, Best Newsreader and
Radio Journalist of the Year.
Radio New Zealand Chief Executive, Peter Cavanagh, said the awards were powerful recognition of both the quality and
importance of public service radio broadcasting in New Zealand.
“In total, Radio New Zealand staff won 13 awards for excellence at the 2009 New Zealand Radio Awards.
“As an independent and commercial-free public service broadcaster, the sole purpose of Radio New Zealand is to serve the
public interest.
“The record number of Radio Awards won by Radio New Zealand this year shows that New Zealanders are being very well
served by their national broadcaster.
Mr. Cavanagh also paid tribute to the maturity of the New Zealand radio industry in being prepared to recognize
excellence regardless of traditional rivalries.
“New Zealand is one of the most competitive radio markets anywhere in the world.
“It says a lot about our colleagues in the commercial sector that despite the extraordinary level of competition, they
have been prepared to recognize a non-commercial broadcaster like Radio New Zealand in such a generous and significant
way.”
Mr. Cavanagh said he was particularly pleased that the radio industry had recognized the success of the Radio New
Zealand website which had revolutionized the organisation’s relationship with its listeners in recent years.
“A huge volume of our programming can now be time-shifted by our listeners as audio-on-demand or downloaded as a
podcast.
“In calendar year 2008, more than six million Radio New Zealand programmes were replayed through the internet.
“Many of those listeners were New Zealanders living and working overseas who were unable to listen to traditional live
radio broadcasts.”
The full list of the 2009 Radio New Zealand award winners is:
Metropolitan Station of the Year: Radio New Zealand National
Best Radio Website: Radio New Zealand
(radionz.co.nz)
Special Recognition Award: Jack Perkins
Best Coverage of a News Story: 2008 US Election
Best Newsreader: Nicola Wright
Individual Radio Journalist of the Year: Katy Gosset
Best Documentary or Feature Programme: Sir Edmund Hillary – A Tribute
Best Daily or Weekly Series (Under one hour): Insight
Best Daily or Weekly Series (One hour or more): Morning Report
Best Dramatic Production: “The Raft”
Best Music Feature: “North and South”
Best Recorded Live Music Event: “Exploring Antarctica”
Best Technical Production, Studio or Outside
Broadcast Recording: “Salmonella Dub/NZSO
Live at Aotea Centre”
Ends