NZ Catholic received three awards at the 2021 Australasian Catholic Press Association awards held online on September 15.
NZ Catholic received the award for Best Feature Content – Multiple Content Producers category for coverage of the episcopal ordination of Bishop Michael Gielen last year. The judge’s comment praised the broad range of articles and photos which captured the joy and significance of the occasion. The diversity and faithfulness of the Auckland Catholic community was clearly evident, the judge stated.
The award for Best News Content – Multiple Content Producers also went to NZ Catholic for coverage of the acceptance by Pope Francis of the resignation of the former Bishop of Palmerston North in 2019. The judge’s comment noted that the coverage was sensitive and comprehensive, while also demonstrating balance and courage. The judge commented that this was an example for all Catholic publications and journalists.
NZ Catholic also received a runner-up award in the Best Content – Climate and Environment category for an article by Southland correspondent Peter Owens about an “urban forest” in Lumsden.
This success comes on top of NZ Catholic receiving two awards at the Australasian Religious Press Association awards held on September 4, at which publications from many different denominations submit entries. The ARPA awards related to NZ Catholic’s ongoing coverage on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
An article by Rowena Orejana on the pandemic and conspiracy theories won a silver award in the best news story category. And a front page by Anne Rose won a gold award in the best cover newspaper category. The headline was “light in the darkness” over a photo of a silhouette of Pope Francis holding a candle at the Easter vigil Mass at St Peter’s Basilica last year. This was the cover for one of NZ Catholic’s editions produced during lockdown last year.
NZ Catholic editor Dr Michael Otto said the recognition at both the ACPA and ARPA awards shows the consistent and ongoing quality of NZ Catholic’s writing, design and production.
“We were recognised as publication of the year by ARPA last year, and these awards show the continuing high regard of our peers in Christian and Catholic media for NZ Catholic,” Dr Otto said.
“It is gratifying to receive these awards,” he said.
Other New Zealand publications to received ARPA awards were Kete Korero (Hamilton), which won a bronze award in the best regional publication category, as well as a silver award in the best original photography category, and Tui Motu Interislands, which received a bronze award in the best feature, multiple authors category.
At the ACPA awards, Kete Korero also received runner up awards for its education coverage and artwork.
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