Last night was dedicated to honouring the nation’s best and brightest TV stars with the industry’s annual celebration.
Hosted by comedian Alice Snedden at Auckland’s Aotea Centre, the ceremony saw the stars of Westside, Wellington Paranormal and Shortland Street among the big winners of the night. Anika Moa, Hillary Barry and Matt McLean were other popular TV personalities acknowledged. The night was big for TVNZ, which nabbed half of the 26 awards presented.
Production company South Pacific Pictures, known for creating Shortland Street, were successful with their co-production of In Dark Places, a hard-hitting Teina Pora story that won best drama feature and best drama director. In Dark Places director, Michael Bennett accepted his award and explained that creating the drama was extremely important to him.
“I knew making this drama was going to be the most important thing I have done in my career,” he said.
“What we’re always going to be most grateful for is being able to tell our friend [Teina’s] story.”
Comedy was the highlight of the night with Danielle Cormack winning best actress for her Lulu in the comedy Fresh Eggs and Mike Minogue named best actor for his role in Wellington Paranormal. Additionally, hilarious TV personalities Anika Moa and Matty McLean won awards for their presenting skills.
Speaking to the Herald, Moa said the win was a relief.
“I’m happy to just be here because I love the TV industry…and also I already know I’m awesome, I don’t need an award to tell me that. I’m the bomb,” Moa said.
Regarding coverage of the Christchurch shootings, Seven Sharp’s Hillary Barry won best presenter, 1 News won best live event coverage for the national memorial service and Three’s Newshub won best news coverage for its wider work.
Barry explained she was honoured to receive the award and her job can at times be difficult.
“To break bad news to people…it’s a difficult thing to do but it’s also a really important thing to get right,” she said.
Many other TV personalities and shows were honoured throughout the night, acknowledging New Zealand’s variety of talent in front of a dazzling crowd of 700 people.
