Pressing ahead with Stuff ’s media success
News
Stuff’s innovation, superb reporting, evocative and biting opinion writing, and breathtaking visuals have been recognised at the annual media awards.
Stuff was recognised as Website Of The Year at the Voyager Media Awards in Auckland last night – an honour it shares with joint winner Newsroom.co.nz.
The judges applauded Stuff’s breaking news coverage, editorial campaigns, innovation and indepth investigative reporting.
The Press won Newspaper Of The Year (more than 30,000 circulation), being described by the judges as ‘‘vital’’ and ‘‘very much alive and kicking, much like the city it serves’’.
‘‘At its best, The Press brings a (powerful) sense of urgency, intimacy and immediacy to the job of informing its readers. The editions submitted for judging displayed a real clarity of purpose in the reporting and presentation, a tangible expression of being with and for the community, though not in an uncritical way.’’
The Waikato Times was the ‘‘standout’’ as the winner of the hard-fought Newspaper Of The Year (up to 30,000 circulation) category.
‘‘What set it apart was the range and distinctiveness of its local content and the strong sense of community connection it conveyed through a campaigning and confident editorial tone. Also, its reporting was impressively edgy, probing and irreverent.’’
Nelson reporter Nina Hindmarsh was crowned Best Reporter – Junior, standing out in a ‘‘remarkably accomplished field’’ for the quality of her writing and the breadth of her portfolio.
‘‘Her article about an unpopular community of squatters called The Tribe was a superb, colourful and finely balanced piece of work.
‘‘She also submitted a fine piece of investigative journalism on the scam known as ‘gift-giving’ and an informative but moving spot news story about a whale stranding, showing an ability to work well in a range of journalistic genres.’’
Waikato reporter Ruby Nyika won Student Journalist Of The Year. ‘‘She has the right stuff in spades,’’ the judges said.
The Valley – Stuff Circuit’s ‘‘meticulous, detailed investigation into New Zealand’s military and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan’’ – won Best Team Investigation.
‘‘It shines light through the fog of war,’’ the judges said. ‘‘Through persistent and courageous journalism, and using innovative story-telling techniques, the Stuff Circuit team has provided an unparalleled insight into the changing nature of engagement and, in particular, what happened at the battle of Baghak.’’
Stuff national correspondent Tony Wall claimed the category of Reporter – Health, Education and/ or General. ‘‘In a standout field of incredible reporting on important issues, Tony Wall’s portfolio featured three very strong stories that were original, well-crafted and important.’’
Donna-Lee Biddle won the Feature Writing – Crime, Justice and/or Social Issues section for The Priest With A Patch – ‘‘a wellcrafted, uplifting piece from a reporter with perseverance and awareness’’.
Judges said her ‘‘extraordinary story about a Mongrel Mob member who is also a priest gives hope that even hardened gang members can find a way to walk away from drink, drugs, violence and crime’’.
For the third year in a row, Sharon Murdoch won Cartoonist Of The Year.
‘‘Would it be possible to flip past these cartoons?’’ the judges asked. ‘‘We loved the wonderful expressions on the faces of Murdoch’s hapless subjects, her graphic skill, her use of line and colour, her wit, her seriousness, the intelligence of her ideas. Here is a master of the genre, who can make you laugh out loud ... or wince or wonder.’’
‘‘Delicious metaphors, poignant observations and wry, self-effacing sense of humour’’ helped Leah McFall win the Opinion Writing – General and/or Sport category for her ‘‘evocative yet readable, personal yet universal’’ columns.
Dave Armstrong won the Opinion Writing – Humour/Satire category,
raising the bar with his ‘‘ability to cut to the core of a controversy with biting commentary and wit’’.
Stuff also featured heavily in the visual categories. Photographer Of The Year went to Iain McGregor, who was praised for his ‘‘high level of skill’’ and ‘‘ability to capture winning images no matter what the assignment’’.
George Heard won Best News Video for ‘‘a great example of news as it happens’’, the judges said. ‘‘A flash flood, a rescue and an interview with the survivors immediately afterwards. This story nailed it.’’
Joseph Johnson won Best Photography – News for ‘‘frightening and breathtaking’’ images of the Port Hills fires in Christchurch, while ‘‘skilled portraitist’’ Chris Skelton won Best Photography – Portrait. Kavinda Herath won Best Photo – Junior, displaying a ‘‘wide range of skills’’.
Editorial director Mark Stevens was pleased to see Stuff’s website, newspapers and its journalists honoured. ‘‘It’s the journalists who make those products what they are and it has been fantastic to see them recognised for their great work’’.