RNZ’s Sam Sherwood sweeps reporting awards

RNZ’s Sam Sherwood has completed an unprecedented sweep of journalism awards across radio and digital news journalism.

Sherwood won Best Journalist at the annual Radio and Podcast Awards on Thursday night. He was also recognised for his leading role in RNZ’s investigation into disgraced former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming, which won best news or sports story - team coverage.

At last month’s NZ Media Awards, Sherwood was also named Reporter of the Year, News Journalist of the Year and won the award for best specialist reporting.

At the Radio and Podcast Awards, RNZ was also recognised with wins for best digital content, and best long form video.

RNZ’s Cole Eastham-Farrelly and Farah Hancock won best long form video for their piece on feral cats.

In audio, RNZ won seven podcast categories, including a third straight win for The Detail, a joint production with Newsroom, in the news and current affairs category. RNZ programmes won the daily or weekly factual feature (Our Changing World), the documentary or factual talk feature (Search & Rescue) and children’s programme (Suzy and Friends) awards.The Lodge won Best History & Documentary Podcast. And Witi Underwater, about Witi Ihimaera’s reo Māori immersion journey, by Eugene Bingham and Adam Dudding, took out Best Reo Māori Podcast.

Image of white ice with light wave lines in the top left and bottom right corners with small penguins walking across the ice . The words ‘Voice of the Sea Ice’ appears in the middle of the image. — Voice of the Sea Ice, hosted and produced by Claire Connanon, won two awards Photo: Anthony Powell

Clare Sziranyi, the long-time former executive producer of Nine to Noon, and the Matinee Idle team were among those recognised for services to broadcasting.

Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis Allen won the Sir Paul Holmes Broadcaster of the Year for the second year in a row, and Newstalk ZB also picked up Network Station of the Year.

Podcast of the Year was Between Two Beers.

The full list of winners and finalists is published by the Radio Broadcasters Association.

RNZ’s 2026 Radio and Podcast Award winners

Best Journalist

Sam Sherwood

Best Digital Content

RNZ - Digital and Social

Best News or Sports Story - Team Coverage

RNZ’s investigation into Jevon McSkimming

Best Video - Long Form

Feral

Best Children’s Programme

Suzy & Friends in a POD-Cast

Best Daily or Weekly Feature - Factual

Our Changing World

Best Documentary or Factual Talk Feature

Search & Rescue NZ

Best Podcast Technical Production

Voice of the Sea Ice

Best Science & Environmental Podcast

Voice of the Sea Ice

Best News & Current Affairs Podcast

The Detail

Best History & Documentary Podcast

The Lodge

Best Reo Māori Podcast

Witi Underwater