The Nelson Weekly team, Lauren Rameka-iti, Sarah Board, Andrew Board, Charles Anderson, Reuben Dudley and Summa McDonald celebrating the recognition at the Community Newspaper Awards. Photo: Supplied.

Nelson Weekly shines at newspaper awards

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2011

The team at the Nelson Weekly was acknowledged for its quality at the New Zealand Community Newspaper Association Awards on Friday night.

Editor Charles Anderson was judged best news journalist in the country while the Nelson Weekly newspaper was given a special commendation in the coveted community newspaper of the year award.

The annual awards celebrate the very best of community newspapers and magazines throughout the country. It is run by the New Zealand Community Newspaper Association, an industry body with members from more than 80 independent newspapers and magazines.

The winner of the community newspaper of the year went to The Beacon of Whakatane.

Nelson Weekly managing director Andrew Board says Charles is a deserving winner.

“Since he was appointed editor two years ago, Charles has been driven to improve the newspaper week-in, week-out and has put together some cracking stories, so it was great to see that recognised by the judges.

“And the commendation for newspaper of the year is particularly pleasing as it recognises our whole team. Many of the papers we are up against for that award are either daily papers or those which have been around for a very long time.

The Nelson Weekly is locally-owned and operated and employs 13 people out of its Tahunanui office. It also publishes the Nelson App and Nelson Magazine, as well as a newspaper, magazine and app in Marlborough.

CNA president David Mackenzie says the awards recognise the best of the industry.

He says community newspapers are thriving up and down the country and that can be put down to the power of print advertising and the hyper-local stories produced each week by highly-connected, local journalists who work for independent publishers.