Media Releases

Civil Defence Role Recognised in Radio Awards

Released at 9:31 am on 11 May 2012

Radio New Zealand's role in reporting the impact of a sequence of natural disasters in 2011 has been recognised in the 2012 New Zealand Radio Awards, announced last night.

Radio New Zealand won the major news categories including Best Coverage of a News Story for its Christchurch earthquake coverage.

Two news journalists, both working in Christchurch at the time of the earthquake, were recognised with individual awards. Jessica Maddock was voted Individual Journalist of the Year and Bridget Mills was Best New Journalist. The news documentary programme Insight also received an award.

Radio proved a vital source of information after the February earthquake in Christchurch and Radio New Zealand, as this country's only designated Lifeline Utility radio broadcaster, played a critical civil defence role following the event.

A new consumer report by international market research company Nielsen confirms that Radio New Zealand National was the top ranking radio station in New Zealand in 2011 with a market share of 11.1%.

According to Nielsen, nearly a third of those surveyed about their radio listening habits in the days following the earthquake said that they tuned in more than usual, including a number of people who don't usually use radio.

Radio New Zealand National gained 35% of those respondents who said they listened to the radio more following the February earthquake.