NZ Catholic judged best Catholic paper in Australasia

by MICHAEL OTTO
AUCKLAND — NZ Catholic has been judged the best Catholic newspaper in Australia and New Zealand in 2013.
The newspaper received the Bishop Phillip Kennedy Memorial Award for newspapers at the Australasian Catholic Press Association Awards in Melbourne on September 5.
This is the sixth time NZ Catholic has received the Kennedy award, and the first time since 2007.
The judge’s citation described NZ Catholic as “the best local newspaper”, noting its accessibility to people who are not Catholics, and stating “. . . the paper is engaging and gives a clear presentation of community views and how the Catholic community responds to local needs and issues”.

NZ Catholic managing editor Peter Grace said he is thrilled at this success, as is the newspaper’s publisher, Bishop Patrick Dunn.
“We have a loyal and dedicated team at the paper, and I very much see this award as recognition of everyone’s hard work and creative talent. It also reflects our excellent relationship with our readership, from where many of our best articles originate,” he said.
NZ Catholic‘s special feature on Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement in February also received a “highly commended” in the Best Editorial Feature — Newspaper or Magazine.
The Bishop Philip Kennedy Memorial Award for magazines went to Eureka Street, an online publication of the Australian Jesuits.
Other New Zealand publications that had successes at ACPA included Wel-Com (Best Editorial — winner), Tui Motu InterIslands (Best Article on Catechesis — winner, Best Original Photograph — highly commended, Best Front Cover Magazines — highly commended) and The Marist Messenger (Best Editorial — highly commended, Best Feature Story — highly commended).
At the Australasian Religious Press Association Awards, Tui Motu Interislands received a gold award in the Best Feature Multiple Authors category. The Marist Messenger received a silver award for Best Faith Reflection.