Indira Stewart is the Pacific journalist of the year

Tongan-Fijian New Zealand journalist Indira Stewart has several strings to her bow.

The 1News reporter is a mother, soprano, classically-trained musician, and New Zealand Idol contestant.

But on Friday night, the 38-year-old was recognised for her work as a storyteller, scooping the Le Mana Pacific Award at the Voyager Media Awards in Auckland on 24 May.

The former TVNZ breakfast host edged was shortlisted alongside fellow Tongans, Tagata Pasifika's John Pulu and Soana Aholelei.

And in her acceptance speech Stewart proudly acknowledged all three finalists and their heritage.

"I think it' the first time the Voyagers has ever had all three finalists are Tongans in a category," she said to a packed audience at Queens Wharf's Shed 10.

"Two of us, including myself, were born in Tonga, migrated here and English is our second language - so it's a huge privilege to be able to do this in the New Zealand mainstream space and tell our stories.

"My last thanks is to Tagata Pasifika and SunPix who gave me my first reporting job when I was 15-years-old, as I wouldn't be here without them."

The large number of media staffing cuts were on the minds of many at the awards, and Stewart paid special tribute to Newshub staff - who found out earlier this year that their roles would be disestablished.

"I just want to give a special shout out to Newshub while I'm up here. Thank you for all the excellent work that you've done - we're so proud of you."

A few days after the dust had settled on her special achievement, Stewart says it was the subjects of her stories who have been on her mind.

"The award is a nod from our industry peers - and I value and appreciate it," she says.

"But the real reward for the work we do is seeing the impact that it has on peoples' lives - whether that means giving a platform to victims to be heard and exposing something to the light so that people in power are held to account or celebrating the stories of our people who deserve to be uplifted everyday.

"Giving our community a space in mainstream to be seen has driven a lot of my work. It will always be important to me."