It’s official: you are visiting 2026’s best news, current affairs or specialist publication.
The Spinoff has won best news, current affairs or specialist publication at the 2026 New Zealand Media Awards.
The judges said: “The Spinoff distinguishes itself as New Zealand’s most fully realised modern media platform: strong journalism, multi-format depth, impressive metrics and a distinct voice now entrenched in the national news vernacular.”
The Spinoff strongly endorses this insightful take.
NBR was runner up for the award.
The Spinoff’s senior journalist Hayden Donnell was a finalist for best columnist, opinion or critique, and political reporter Lyric Wawiri-Smith was a finalist for best up and coming journalist.
Maiki Sherman won political journalist of the year at the awards, held in Auckland last night.
Sherman resigned from her role as TVNZ’s political editor earlier this month, saying her position had become untenable following intense pressure after a right-wing blogger broke a story about her conduct at a drinks event in finance minister Nicola Willis’ office a year earlier.
She got the biggest laugh of the night, when she took the stage and said, “Well, well, well…”
She said the award affirmed what she knew deep down – that she was a “darn good journalist”, and that she held politicians from across the political spectrum to account.
Stuff won best news provider and RNZ’s Sam Sherwood won reporter of the year.
