Newstalk ZB has won station of the year for a record sixth straight year, while drive host Heather du Plessis-Allan was named the Sir Paul Holmes broadcaster of the year for a second straight year at the 2026 NZ Radio and Podcast Awards.
ZB’s night host Marcus Lush, meanwhile, was named the best presenter (non-breakfast/drive) for the 10th straight year, and breakfast host Mike Hosking was named best talk presenter (breakfast/drive) for the fourth straight year.
MediaWorks stations and personalities were also big winners - More FM’s breakfast show (including Simon Barnett and Lana Cochrane-Searle) was named best breakfast music show and The Rock’s Wind of Change won the coveted Blackie Award.
RNZ also had a strong night, winning best digital content while senior reporter Sam Sherwood was named best journalist, backing up the similar prize he received at the New Zealand Media Awards last month.
RNZ’s investigation into Jevon McSkimming was awarded best news or sport story - team coverage.
As well as ZB winning network station of the year, More FM Northland was named local station of the year and Sun FM was named independent station of the year.
An emotional du Plessis-Allan thanked her husband Barry Soper, mother, colleagues and listeners. Of her role, she said: “It is just such an honour. Isn’t it just a wonderful privilege? It is a privilege to turn a microphone on and people listen to you. I don’t even have that privilege with my four-year-old.”
Newstalk ZB’s Raylene Ramsay was named best news or sports reader, and Sport Nation’s Scotty and Izzy for Breakfast - with hosts Scotty Stevenson and Israel Dagg - were named best sports presenter/commentator.
Independent podcast Between Two Beers was named the overall podcast of the year. It also won the best society and culture podcast.
Members of the Newstalk ZB radio team, winners of network station of the year for the sixth straight year.
ZM’s Bree and Clint won best music network team. The Hits Dunedin Breakfast with Callum and P was named best local music breakfast show.
A range of radio specialists were presented with awards for services to broadcasting including Eti Fuimaono McCarthy, Ray Smith, Clare Sziranyi, Pawan Prasad, Matinee Idle hosts Phil O’Brien and Simon Morris, Angela Gordon and Jon Dunstan.
Former Radio Broadcasters Association chair and chief executive Jana Rangooni was awarded for her outstanding contribution to radio.
NZME chief audio officer Jason Winstanley said: “I’m proud of our awesome team – these 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, tonight is a reminder of just how many brilliant people who create content that New Zealanders continue to love.”
NZME chief executive Michael Boggs said: “Tonight is a fantastic celebration of what NZME does best - connecting with Kiwis through great storytelling, entertaining content and trusted journalism.
Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.
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