Pacific voices shine as PMN named finalist at New Zealand's premier media awards 2026

Pacific media voices are among the finalists announced for the 2026 Voyager Media Awards, including the former head of news at Pacific Media Network (PMN).

Samson Samasoni, who was acting head of news at PMN during 2025, has been named a finalist in the Editorial Leader of the Year category.

Samasoni has worked extensively in journalism and communications for more than 30 years with experience across the Pacific region and the Middle East.

Since 2023, he has helped shape the development of the newsroom strategy and has served as Executive Producer of PMN’s flagship news programme Pacific Mornings on 531pi.

He is also co-Executive Producer of PMN's Saturday morning sports show Pacific Huddle.

Veteran TVNZ journalist Barbara Dreaver, a multiple Voyager Award winner, is also a finalist in the News Journalist of the Year category and Best Specialist Reporting.

Dreaver’s colleague, Indira Stewart, also a multiple award winner, has been shortlisted for the Le Mana Pacific Award, alongside Ann-Tauilo Motuga of TVNZ, and Mark Papalii from RNZ.

In 2025, Stewart won Best Current Affairs (Short) for Children of Prisoners, which focuses on teenagers dealing with the impact of having a parent in jail. It was a back-to-back win for Stewart in the Le Mana Pacific Award category.

TVNZ reporter Indira Stewart acceepting the Le Mana Pacific Award at the 2025 Voyager Media Awards, from awards MC Jeremy Corbett. Photo/News Publishers' Association.

The Voyager Media Awards run by the News Publishers’ Association recognise excellence in New Zealand journalism across print, digital, audio, video and photography.

The winners will be announced on 22 May 2026.

Watch veteran TVNZ reporter Barbara Dreaver talking to Pacific Mornings about her career in journalism.