The who’s who of New Zealand’s publishing industry came together at Auckland’s La Zeppa on Thursday evening for the Webstar Magazine Media Awards 2022, an event dedicated to the craft of storytelling.
Following two years of virtual award ceremonies, Magazine Publishers Association (MPA) members and associates gathered in person to celebrate and showcase the best in magazine creativity and initiative, during what has been a challenging time for media.
Of the finalists and winners, the MPA Board noted the depth and diversity of this year’s entries, saying that exciting things are happening across all magazine channels.
“In challenging times magazines continue to find relevant ways to speak to their communities,” MPA said in a statement announcing the winners.
A big winner was New Zealand Geographic who took home the titles of Webstar Best Magazine – Consumer Special Interest, Current Affairs and Business; Best Photographer; Best Journalist – Consumer Special Interest, Current Affairs, Business and Trade, as well as Webstar Supreme Magazine.
The judges commented: “The New Zealand Geographic magazine, brand and business continues to evolve and adapt to the modern magazine and media environment. Huge audience reach, cut-through with hard-to-reach young readers, and multiple new projects in production, ensure New Zealand Geographic is an ongoing inspiration to readers and our industry alike. The judges urge publishers to take note of New Zealand Geographic’s adaptive and innovative approach to media.”
Other big wins included Dish magazine taking out Webstar Best Magazine – Home, Food, Lifestyle and Mass Market and the coveted People’s Choice, and NZ Marketing magazine walking away with Webstar Best Magazine – Trade. Both titles owned by SCG.
“Dish has maintained its strong performance of the last few years, achieving outstanding commercial results which suggest this title is delivering exactly what its audience is looking for. Clever brand extensions, a cross platform approach and strong retail, subscription and advertising growth all contributed to make this a standout entry in what was an incredibly competitive field,” said the judges of the win.
The NZ Post Supreme Editor award went to Alistair Hall of Wilderness. The judges noting: “Alistair Hall is clearly an editor in tune with his target audience. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to anticipate the content that will engage passionate lovers of the outdoors, as well as a flair for innovative real-world activations. He’s able to balance his editorial and commercial responsibilities successfully too, achieving growth in both subscriptions and revenue over the entry period as well as delivering new revenue streams for the Wilderness brand. The judges felt his voice, vision and genuine passion for the outdoor life shone through on every page of this title, and are a key factor that help this potentially specialist magazine punch so far above its weight.”
Stuff’s magazines also picked up a slew of awards with Ensemble crowned Best Digital Brand, and Best Brand Event for The Ensemble Edit, a live shoppable digital runway show.
NZ Gardener picked up Best Cover – Home, Food, Lifestyle for its edgy and vibrant October 2021 edition cover. The magazine came highly commended in the Webstar Best Magazine – Home, Food, Lifestyle category, while editor Jo McCarroll was highly commended in the NZ Post Best Editor – Home, Food, Lifestyle category.
Rounding out the honours, Stuff designer Sacha Wackrow won the Best Designer / Design Team category for her work in NZ House & Garden.
Stuff Head of Life Media Sarah Stuart said she was thrilled to see Stuff’s titles shining brightly at this year’s awards.
“We’re always looking at how we can entertain and engage our audiences in joyous and unexpected ways, while showcasing the very best of New Zealand homes/gardens, fashion, style and creativity across our pages. These awards are a testament to our continued investment and innovation in our life and style brands.”
List of winners
Best Photographer
Winner – Richard Robinson / New Zealand Geographic
Highly commended – Anna Briggs / Capital Magazine
Best Designer / Design Team
Winner – Sacha Wackrow / NZ House & Garden
Highly commended – Sarah Gladwell / Here
Best Columnist / Blogger
Winner – Sam Tyson / NZ Plumber
Highly commended – Diana Noonan / Kiwi Gardener
Best Journalist – Consumer Special Interest, Current Affairs, Business and Trade
Winner – Kate Evans / New Zealand Geographic
Best Journalist – Home, Food, Lifestyle and Mass Market
Winner – Claire Finlayson / NZ Life & Leisure
Highly commended – Aroha Awarau
Best Cover – Consumer Special Interest, Current Affairs, Business and Trade
Winner – Viva
Best Cover – Home, Food, Lifestyle and Mass Market
Winner – New Zealand Gardener
Best Cover – Non newsstand
Winner – Country-Wide Beef
Best Advertising Solution
Winner Viva
Best Brand Event
Winner – Ensemble Edit
Highly commended – Capital Magazine Photographer of the Year
Best Digital Brand
Winner – Ensemble
Best Regional Magazine
Winner – Capital
Best Custom Magazine
Winner – Bunnings New Zealand
Highly commended – Habitat by Resene
Webstar Best Magazine – Trade
Winner – NZ Marketing Magazine
Highly commended – E.G
Lifetime Achievement
David Hall
People’s Choice
Winner – Dish
NZ Post Best Editor – Consumer Special Interest, Current Affairs, Business and Trade
Winner – Alistair Hall / Wilderness
Highly commended – Kristy McGregor / Shepherdess
Webstar Best Magazine – Consumer Special Interest, Current Affairs and Business
Winner – New Zealand Geographic
Highly commended – Shepherdess
NZ Post Best Editor – Home, Food, Lifestyle and Mass Market
Winner – Simon Farrell Green / Here
Highly commended – Jo McCarroll / New Zealand Gardener
Webstar Best Magazine – Home, Food, Lifestyle and Mass Market
Winner – Dish
Highly commended – New Zealand Gardener
NZ Post Supreme Editor
Winner – Alistair Hall / Wilderness
Webstar Supreme Magazine
Winner – New Zealand Geographic
