NZBS alumni win big at NZ Radio Awards 2021

The awards acknowledge the great content produced across all areas of the radio industry including on-air personalities, news and sports coverage, marketing, advertising and community involvement.

Ara NZBS graduates have taken out two of the four Best New Broadcaster awards, with Aaron Dahmen winning Best New Broadcaster – Journalist for Newstalk ZB, and Alex Lansdown winning Best New Broadcaster - Off-Air for The Hits Network.

In the Best Hosts category, graduates Vaughan Smith, Megan Papas and Anna Henvest accepted an award for Best Breakfast Show - Music Network on behalf of their show ZM's Fletch, Vaughan & Megan. This is the fourth year ZM has won this award for their popular morning show. 

Lisa Owen won Best Talk Presenter - Breakfast or Drive for RNZ National’s show Checkpoint.

Demonstrating content really is king, in the Best Content category graduate William Ray received awards for his podcast series Black Sheep (Best Entertainment Podcast) and The Service (Best News/Current Affairs Podcast).

Graduate Troy Scott was named Best Show Producer/Team - Music Show for his work producing The Breeze Wellington’s show Steve and Kath, and Amy Tempero took away an award for Best Content Director/Content Team for More FM.

Full list of Ara New Zealand Broadcasting School Alumni Winners:

Best Content Director/Content Team: Amy Tempero- More FM Network

Best Entertainment Podcast: William Ray for ‘Black Sheep’ – RNZ National

Best News/Current Affairs Podcast: William Ray for ‘The Service’ – RNZ & Bird of Paradise

Best Show Producer/Team – Music Show: Troy Scott – The Breeze Wellington

Best Station Imaging: Alistair Cockburn, Brynee Wilson - ZM Network

Best Station Trailer: ‘$100k Secret Sound’ with Alistair Cockburn, Claire Chellew and Tom Harper – ZM Network

The Blackie Award: Ben Boyce, Juliet Wrathall for ‘The Siri Prank’ – The Hits

Best Access Radio Programme: Victoria Harwood for ‘It’s Getting Hot in Here’ – Plains FM

Best Daily or Weekly Feature- Factual: William Ray for ‘Black Sheep’ – RNZ National 

Best Documentary or Daily Talk Feature- Factual: William Ray for ‘The Service’ – RNZ & Bird of Paradise

Best Music Feature: Braydon Priest for ‘Coca-Cola Christmas’ on The Breeze Network

Best Breakfast Show - Music Network: Vaughan Smith, Megan Papas and Anna Henvest for ‘ZM's Fletch, Vaughan & Megan’ – ZM Network

Best Team Show- Music Network: Jack Honeybone for ‘Rock Drive with Jay and Dunc’ – The Rock Network

Best Music Host – Local: Will Johnston – The Hits Bay of Plenty

Best Talk Presenter- Breakfast or Drive: Lisa Owen for ‘Checkpoint’ – RNZ National

Best New Broadcaster – Journalist: Aaron Dahmen - Newstalk ZB

Best New Broadcaster - Off-Air: Alex Lansdown - The Hits Network

Best News Story- Team Coverage: Lisa Owen, Logan Church, Louise Ternouth for ‘Checkpoint COVID Lockdown Special’ – RNZ National

Best Sports Reader, Presenter or Commentator: Chris Key, Joseph Shuker, Tom Harper and Claire Chellew for ‘The Alternative Commentary Collective’ – NZME/ The ACC / iHeart Radio

Best Sports Story – Team Coverage: Louis Herman-Watt for ‘The America’s Cup World Series Auckland’ – NZME

Best Marketing Campaign: Jacquetta Hazlett for ‘A Christmas Special Like No Other- Christmas on the Breeze’ – The Breeze Network

Best Network Station Promotion: Braydon Priest, Nicky Ranson, Sarah Nickson-Clark for ‘Coca-Cola Christmas on The Breeze’ – The Breeze Network

Best Single Market Station Promotion: Grace Rhynd for ‘Ernie & the Magic Kennel’ – The Breeze Auckland

Best Community Campaign: Nicky Ranson and Sarah Nickson-Clark for ‘Coca-Cola Christmas on The Breeze’ – The Breeze Network