NZME celebrates wins at NZ Radio & Podcast Awards including eight premier awards

New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) is celebrating winning a swag of awards at tonight’s 2025 NZ Radio & Podcast Awards, with more than 30 awards in total including eight premier awards.

Newstalk ZB once again celebrated a huge evening, winning the most awards of any station including Station of the Year – Network. Heather du Plessis-Allan won the coveted Sir Paul Holmes Broadcaster of the Year and Mike Hosking won Best Talk Presenter - Breakfast or Drive for the eleventh time. For the ninth consecutive year, Marcus Lush was awarded Best Talk Presenter – Non-Breakfast or Drive. Jason Pine was a joint winner for Best Sports Presenter or Commentator and loved newsreader Niva Retimanu was honoured for her services to broadcasting as well as winning the award for Best News or Sports Reader. Newsreader Malcolm Jordan and station voice, Daniel Wrightson, were both also recognised for services to broadcasting.

The Country’s Jamie Mackay ONZM received the premier Outstanding Contribution to Radio Award, just over a year after being awarded an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to broadcasting and the rural community.

ZM took out several awards including Fletch, Vaughan & Hayley once again taking out the hotly contested Best Music Breakfast Show – Network Award and Pixie Cockerill winning Best New Off-Air Talent.

The Radio Hauraki team won the coveted Blackie Award for their hilarious Pinot Wahs catchphrase campaign that went viral, as well as picking up Best Sponsorship and Partnership for Dad’s Pies Hauraki Pie, amongst a range of other awards.

Coast’s Lorna Riley won Best Music Network Host and The Hits had a strong night with Hayley Bath awarded Best Local Music Host, Promotions Director Larissa O’Reilly winning the Associated Craft Award and KidsCanBall winning Best Community Campaign.

iHeartRadio had a strong night with Sportscafe-ish winning Best Podcast and Best Sports Podcast, Kōrero winning Best Reo Māori Podcast, Heaven’s Helpline winning Best History and Documentary Podcast and Hope is Real’s Jazz Thornton taking home Best New Talent – Presenter.

In other awards, NZME won Best Client Promotion/Activation with its cross-platform ANZ Donation Station campaign and NZME’s Auckland Agency Sales Team had a special commendation for Metropolitan Sales Team of the Year. NZME’s Oamaru team took home Best Commercial Campaign for their Oamaru Honda Song a Long.

Jason Winstanley, NZME's Chief Audio Officer, says the Awards honour the talented individuals and teams working across New Zealand’s radio and digital audio industry.

"Running our radio stations and digital audio platforms around the clock requires a huge amount of dedication and commitment from multiple people across NZME. It's fantastic to recognise our talented onair hosts and teams who work tirelessly behind the scenes, all who share a deep love for this cherished media platform.”

NZME Chief Executive Michael Boggs congratulated all winners across all categories and networks. “It’s been a great evening celebrating the strength of radio and podcasting with our fellow industry peers tonight. Kiwis love radio – whether they enjoy it through traditional broadcast or via digital platforms - our industry is thriving.

“I’m especially proud of our NZME team – it was awesome to see so many of our talented people across multiple teams recognised this evening. A big thanks also to our valued listeners and to our advertising clients who support NZME’s radio and digital audio business – we’re hugely grateful for your ongoing loyalty,” says Boggs.

ENDS