Massey journalism graduates win Voyager Media Awards

Massey graduates won both the top awards for Reporter of the Year, as well as Student Journalist and Best Reporting in local government.

The Awards, organised by the News Publisher’s Association, are held annually to encourage, showcase, and acknowledge the best of New Zealand’s news media across all platforms.

Among the list recognised for outstanding journalism in 2021 are graduates Felix Desmarais, Jem Traylen, Kirsty Johnston, Tova O’Brien, Anusha Bradley and Rosa Woods.

Democracy at the local level earned Massey graduate Felix Desmarais the Best Reporting in Local Government award. The judges commended his “solid research, dogged persistence and good aggressive reporting.”

Felix is based in the Rotorua Daily Post newsroom, and is also part of the Local Democracy Reporting network co-ordinated by Radio New Zealand.

He says it’s thanks to the university that he went down the journalism route. “Massey is to blame for the radioactive journalism bug that bit me. I had a fantastic tutor in undergrad who said “you know, you’re pretty good at this, you should be a journalist.” At the time I said “no way,” but the encouragement twigged me to a career path that meant something, and provided a crucial function in democracy. I went on to complete the postgraduate diploma in journalism and that provided me a solid foundation in the skills, attitude and underlying ethics of journalism. It taught me to never stop learning.”

This year’s winner of Student Journalist of the Year, Jem Traylen, was recognised for her work with BusinessDesk while still a student in 2021. The judges noted that her portfolio contained the keys to success – strong news sense, focus, stickability and fire in the belly.

Jem also completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism. She says the course helped her to build confidence. “A lot of writers, including myself, are naturally shy and lack the confidence to take journalism on as a career. Massey’s postgraduate diploma take a ‘bootcamp’ approach and gets you learning journalism by actually being a kind of cadet journalist with the tutors acting as the chief reporters. This really helps to build the needed confidence.”

Journalism Programme Leader, Dr Bernard Whelan from the School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing says, “Many journalism students are taking the opportunity to work in the field while they study, either from the beginning or during their courses, thanks to the university’s capability in distance learning.”

Reporter of the Year awards were won by graduates Kirsty Johnston (print) and Tova O’Brien (broadcasting).

Kirsty has been a regular award winner over the past decade, and Tova is a former winner whose award is for her Newshub work in 2021.

Kirsty says the skills she learnt at Massey still help to inform her reporting today. "Our media ethics and law classes were invaluable in preparing for what can be an extremely challenging job that constantly presents tricky situations. I also made lifelong friends among my class and in our lecturers."

Anusha Bradley of Radio New Zealand won the award for feature writing on social issues for her work on women’s struggle with ACC for treatment for perineal tears. Her work is acknowledged for changing legislation.

The Best Single Feature Video by single visual journalist went to Rosa Woods for her work producing The Whaanga Sisters.

Associate Professor James Hollings, who taught Kirsty, Rosa, Felix Desmarais and Jem, says the success of Massey graduates continues a long tradition of Massey winners.

“It’s very satisfying to know that the country’s oldest, biggest and most successful journalism programme is continuing to produce graduates at the highest level. It’s a great validation of our approach to teaching. More importantly, it’s a massive thrill to see your students achieve their dreams of a successful career in journalism. All these winners are wonderful people whom it has been a privilege to know and help on their path in life.”

Read more about the awards here.