Cook Islands language show gets high praise at NZ Radio Awards

531pi’s PMN Cook Islands has been recognised in the Best Pacific Language Programme category at New Zealand’s top radio awards.

The Radio Industry Awards Committee awarded a Special Commendation to the programme at the 2024 NZ Radio and Podcast Awards held at SkyCity Theatre in Auckland tonight.

High praise went to the hosts and producers of the show; Tauraki Rongo, Ngaire Karati, Jeannie Pera, Susnation Seta, Caroline Bishop, Ernestina Bonsu-Maro, Tavake Kamana, Matt Tufuga, as well as Susana Guttenbeil, who is 531pi’s Head of Content, for their commitment and contributions to broadcasting in Te Reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani.

Pacific media pioneers were also recognised for their Services to Broadcasting, including Foufou Hukui, who in 1987 became the first presenter for Tagata Pasifika, and 531pi’s former station and general manager Sefita Hao’uli (MNZM) who was instrumental in establishing Pacific radio in Aotearoa over 30 years ago.

As the media landscape shifts more and more towards digital platforms, this year's awards introduced new podcast categories, recognising talented and skilled Pacific broadcasters.

One of which was The Best Pacific Podcast award that went to Flava’s youth podcast Island Roots, Auckland Ways hosted by Mariner Fagaiava and Allyssa Verner-Pula.

The two finalists in that section were RNZ National shows Pacific Waves and Fair Game: Pacific Rugby Against the World, where the latter included PMN’s sound engineer Harrison Edwards.

Another new category was the Best Society & Culture Podcast which saw the digital standout The Morning Shift hosted by ‘Matua’ Marc’ Peard, ‘The River Jordan’ Vaha’akolo, and Brook Ruscoe as finalists.

Veteran phenomenon Niva Retimanu claims Best News Reader for the twelfth time at these awards - this year being her third consecutive win.

Watch the awards ceremony here and a list of winners below.

Best Pacific Language Programme

(Special Commendation Award)

PMN Cook Islands - 531 pi | Pacific Media Network

Best Pacific Podcast

Island Roots, Auckland Ways - Flava

Best Newsreader

Niva Retimanu

Podcast of the Year

Tom Sainsbury's Small Town Scandal

Best Te Reo Māori / Te Ao Māori Initiative

Tūranga FM News - Te Reo Irirangi o Tūranganui-a-Kiwa

Best Reo Māori Podcast

Whakāmaori S2 - RNZ National

Best News & Current Affairs Podcast

The Detail - RNZ National

Best Sports Podcast

The ACC Agenda Podcast - The ACC & iHeart Radio

Best Talk Presenter - Breakfast or Drive

The Mike Hosking Breakfast - Newstalk ZB

Network / Metropolitan Station of the Year

Newstalk ZB - NZME

Sir Paul Holmes Broadcaster of the Year

Bevan Chapman - More FM Gisborne & Wairoa

Outstanding Contribution to Radio

Mike West

Mike Regal

Services to Broadcasting

Alan Beagle

David Allan

Jenny Mulligan

Tim Dower

Foufou Hukui

K'Lee

Sefita Hao'uli