Following a standout GfK Survey 1 2026 result that proves that New Zealand Listens to Us, MediaWorks has been recognised across multiple categories at the 2026 NZ Radio & Podcast Awards, earning industry recognition for outstanding content, creativity, innovation and audience engagement.
The awards highlight the very best of New Zealand’s audio industry, celebrating the people, brands, and ideas that continue to shape the way Kiwis listen, connect, and engage with audio content.
This year's honours included 18 awards for MediaWorks, with standout achievements from The Rock, More FM, The Edge, Humm FM and teams across content, commercial, marketing, production, and digital audio.
More FM enjoyed an outstanding night, led by a major win for Best Music Network Breakfast Show for The Breakfast Club with Si & Lana. The award recognises the show's exceptional connection with audiences across the country and its place as one of New Zealand's most-loved breakfast programmes.
More FM truly delivered MORE at the awards, securing five prestigious wins in total across content, marketing, talent, and local broadcasting. Particularly noteworthy were the wins for More FM Northland as Local Station of the Year and Rotorua's Jack Girling as Best Local Music Host, highlighting the strength of the brand in regional New Zealand and its ability to deliver meaningful local connections alongside national success.
The momentum continued, with The Rock once again proving its strength as one of New Zealand's most distinctive and celebrated radio brands. The station took home multiple awards, including Best Music Network Host for Lee Weir (aka Westie Lee, of The Rock Workday) and the coveted Blackie Award – recognising a golden moment in radio – for The Morning Rumble's standout Wind of Change segment.
The wins further cement The Rock's position as New Zealand's #1 station for 25–54-year-olds*, continuing to resonate with audiences across Aotearoa.
The Edge also enjoyed a successful night, with its popular "Hit the Spot" segment taking out Best Short Form Video for its take on Bohemian Rhapsody, while the station was recognised with the award for Best Station Imaging.
MediaWorks also secured Best Comedy Podcast for the rova podcast Not for Radio, known for its uncensored yarns and irreverent humour, rounding out another standout year. Meanwhile, Humm FM’s Unfiltered podcast, hosted by Ruzbeh and Sandy, was awarded Best Asian Podcast for its candid conversations blending news, nostalgia, and Bollywood critiques with a healthy dose of sarcasm.
MediaWorks' commercial and creative teams were also recognised on the night, with the MediaWorks Integration Team receiving the Associated Craft Award, while Alastair Barran and Chris Hurring were honoured with Best Single Commercial for Road Safe Northland – "No Sense It Makes". These awards celebrate excellence in creative execution, innovation, and the power of strong client partnerships.
Adding to the success, the Manawatu Sales Team was named Regional/Provincial Sales Team of the Year, recognising its outstanding performance, strong client relationships, and commitment to delivering results for local businesses.
Our teams consistently push the boundaries of what's possible in audio, delivering content and campaigns that entertain, inform, and create meaningful connections with audiences.
- MediaWorks Director of Content, Leon Wratt.
The success also highlights MediaWorks’ ongoing investment in innovation across radio, podcasting, digital audio, and integrated marketing solutions, ensuring audiences can engage with their favourite content whenever and wherever they choose.
As audio consumption continues to evolve, MediaWorks remains focused on creating meaningful connections between audiences, advertisers, and communities through world-class content and experiences.
*GfK COMMERCIAL RAM, S1/26, Cume (000s), AP10+, M-S 12mn-12mn, unless otherwise stated.
A full list of MediaWorks winners below:
BEST MUSIC NETWORK BREAKFAST SHOW Breakfast Club with Si & Lana - Simon Barnett, Lana Cochrane-Searle, Chris "Speedy" Goodyear, Chris "Bondy" Bond, Christian Boston, Georgia Watt - MoreFM
REGIONAL/PROVINCIAL SALES TEAM OF THE YEAR MediaWorks Manawatu Sales Team - Willie Furnell, Mark Holder, Connor Todd, Helen Tilyard, Rachael Young, Tresta Russell, Tyler Larkan, Lorna Hermann, Caitlin Nicolle-Healy
LOCAL STATION OF THE YEAR More FM Northland - Angela "Flash" Gordon, Tauha "Toast" Te Kani, John Markby, Tania Burgess, Pippa Dykhoff, Alisha Birrell - MoreFM
BEST MUSIC NETWORK HOST The Rock Workday with Westie Lee - The Rock
BEST SINGLE COMMERCIAL "Road Safe Northland - "No Sense It Makes" - Alastair Barran, Chris Hurring
BEST COMEDY PODCAST Not for Radio - Duncan Heyde, Jay Reeve, Tiegan Lilley, Lee Weir, Ricky Bannister, Tom McKenzie
ASSOCIATED CRAFT AWARD MediaWorks Integration Team - Sunshine Moore, Sam West, Grace Rhynd, Mikala Stanton-Hough, Josh D'Silva, Emma Duffy, Amy Thurlow, Anita Erikson, Tayla McVey, Olive Madigan, Becca Rabjohns, Jaime Moore, Emma Gabriel, Glenn Scotson, Eds Jessup, Zane Moran, Tiffany Montgomery, Natalie Eichmann, Corbin Baxter, Jacqueline Williams
BEST CONTENT DIRECTOR / CONTENT TEAM Christian Boston, Reagan White, Amy Tempero - MoreFM
BEST SHOW PRODUCER OR PRODUCING TEAM - MUSIC SHOW The Rock Drive with Jay & Dunc - Tiegan Lilley, Lee Weir - The Rock
BEST VIDEO - SHORT FORM Edge Breakfast - 'Hit the Spot' Bohemian Rhapsody - Bella Holt, Clint Randell, Dan Webby, Ash London, Carl Thompson, Nepia Ruwhiu - The Edge
BEST ASIAN PODCAST Unfiltered with Sandy & Ruzbeh Sandy Sekhon, Ruzbeh Palsetia - Humm FM
THE BLACKIE AWARD The Rock - Wind of Change - Roger Farrelly, Bryce Casey, Andrew Mulligan, Mel Abbot, Mitch Farr, Ryan Maguire, Raynor Perreau - The Rock
BEST LOCAL MUSIC HOST More FM Rotorua Jack Girling - More FM
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN Back for More - Brad Baird, Alastair Barran, Alex Kenny, Rachel Mancini, Simon Barnett, Leon Wratt, Christian Boston, Melissa Low, Cate Owen, Lana Cochrane-Searle, Eyes & Ears, Krunch - More FM
BEST NETWORK STATION PROMOTION The Rock 2000 - Brad King, Jacqueline Williams, Jack Honeybone, Ricky Bannister, Raynor Perreau, Isaac Paul, Stefanie Gough, Mitch Whaitiri, Seth Maynard, Rich Manu, Forester Christensen, Kim Adamson, Jim Cowan, Te One Shearer - The Rock
BEST STATION IMAGING Grant Brodie, Hamish Phipps, Jack Honeybone, Sin Howard, Callum Payne, Reagan White, Richie Culph, Lily Gichard - The Edge
SERVICES TO BROADCASTING Ray Smith, Angela Gordan