2017-2024: New Zealand Television Awards
The New Zealand Television Awards returned in 2017.
The New Zealand Television Awards recognised excellence in television, and honoured the special skills and unique talents of the companies and individuals who create, produce, and perform in television programmes in New Zealand.
The Awards, held across two ceremonies in Auckland in November 2017, were open to traditional, subscription and - for the first time - digital television platforms. The Craft Awards, which honoured the very best of New Zealand’s technical television expertise, were held on Wednesday 8th November while the Awards Gala ceremony took place at SkyCity Theatre on Thursday 30th November.
The Awards were overseen by an independent committee of key industry players, including: South Pacific Pictures Chief Executive and President of the Screen Production and Development Association Kelly Martin, award-winning producer and series creator Bailey Mackey, 2B Media President Martin Cleave, entertainment publicist Tamar Münch and Great Southern Television’s Managing Director Phil Smith.
“Television consumption methods may be changing at a rapid rate but it’s still all about the content and these Awards give the local industry a chance to take a moment to acknowledge the best of New Zealand television production,” said Kelly Martin.
Bailey Mackey said: “It’s been half a decade since our local TV industry last had an awards ceremony so it’s about time we rectified that and get the chance to honour the best and brightest of the small screen in Aotearoa.”
Justine McKay and Andy Dowding of J&A Productions – the driving force behind the Vodafone NZ Music Awards - ran all aspects of the awards including entry administration and event management. An anonymous judging pool of 90 people had been enlisted from within New Zealand’s screen and media industries to judge the Awards categories.
In 2025 the awards expanded to include New Zealand Cinema releases.
The trophies given out at the ceremony look like a chunky electric razor made out of clear plastic.
