Announcement

2025 New Zealand Screen Awards Finalists Announced!

The 2025 New Zealand Screen Awards have revealed this year’s outstanding finalists celebrating the very best in local storytelling across drama, documentary, comedy, and factual programming.

Published on:

October 20, 2025

NZ Screen Awards

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The New Zealand Screen Awards (NZSA) recognise excellence in the screen industry and celebrate the outstanding skills and unique talents of the individuals and companies who create, produce, and perform in New Zealand screen content.

These prestigious awards honour the people behind the productions that shape Aotearoa’s creative identity — from filmmakers and directors to editors, writers, and performers across television, film, and digital media.

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New Zealand On Air Best Drama Series

The Brokenwood Mysteries. Tim Balme, Kelly Martin, Sally Campbell, Andrew Szusterman. South Pacific Pictures / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Dead Ahead. Nicole Horan, Scotty Cotter. Hi Mama Productions / TVNZ+
The Gone Season 2. Reikura Kahi, Timothy White, Karl Zohrab, Yvonne Donohoe, Katie Holly. Kingfisher Films / Keeper Pictures / Southern Light Films / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
A Remarkable Place to Die. Philly de Lacey, John Banas, Charlie Haskell, Bridget Bourke. Screentime New Zealand and Real Film Berlin / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+

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New Zealand Film Commission Best Feature Film

Tinā. Dan Higgins, Mario Gaoa, Miki Magasiva. The Brown Factory / 2025
Ka Whawhai Tonu. Thomas Toby Parkinson, Piripi Curtis. Akeake Ltd / 2024
We Were Dangerous. Morgan Waru, Polly Fryer. Piki Films / 2024

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New Zealand Film Commission Best Short Film

First Horse. Awanui Simich-Pene, Puti Simich, Mia Henry-Teirney, Heperi Mita. 787 Media / 2024
Lea Tupu’anga | Mother Tongue. Vea Mafile’o, Luciane Buchanan, Alex Lovell, Eldon Booth. Run Charlie Films / 2024
Rochelle. Tom Furniss, Luke Sharpe. Little Horse Films / 2024

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Best Comedy Programme

Vince. Bronwynn Bakker, Jono Pryor, Cam Bakker. Kevin & Co. / Three & ThreeNow
Madam. Tom Hern, Shoshana McCallum, Harry McNaugton, Belindalee Hope, Halaifonua Finau. Tavake / XYZ Films / Three & ThreeNow
Happiness. Luke Di Somma, Kip Chapman. Greenstone TV / Three & ThreeNow

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Best Factual Series

Hyundai Country Calendar. Dan Henry, Katherine Edmond. TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Moving Houses. Neil Stichbury. Imagination Television Limited / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club. Sophie Dowson, Jin Fellet. The Spinoff

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New Zealand On Air Best Documentary - Series

Motuhaketanga. Kathleen Mantel. Black Iris Limited / Whakaata Māori / MĀORI+
Live and Let Dai. Charlotte Hobson, Dai Henwood, Hayley Cunningham, Andrew Szusterman, Kelly Martin. South Pacific Pictures / Three & ThreeNow
Patrick Gower: On Ice. Arwen O’Connor. Ruckus / Three & ThreeNow

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New Zealand Film Commission Best Documentary - Feature

Never Look Away. Matthew Metcalfe, Tom Blackwell, Lucy Lawless. GFC Films / 2024
Stylebender. Fraser Brown, Leela Menon, Tom Blackwell. FluroBlack / 2023
Maurice and I. Rick Harvie, Jane Mahoney. Belmont Productions / 2024
The Lie. Matthew Metcalfe, Tom Blackwell. GFC Films / 2024

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Best Reality Series

The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes. Ben Bayly, Adrian Stevanon, Sam Blackley, Philip Smith, Briar Coleman. Great Southern Television / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
The Traitors New Zealand. Charlotte Hobson, Hayley Cunningham, Kelly Martin, Andrew Szusterman, Jasper Hoogendoorn. South Pacific Pictures / Three & ThreeNow
Match Fit: Union vs League. Kimberley Hurley, Bailey Mackey. Pango Productions / Three & ThreeNow

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Best Current Affairs Programme

Te Ao with Moana. Hikurangi Kimiora Jackson, Cameron Bennett. Black Pearl Limited / Whakaata Māori / MĀORI+
The Hui. Rewa Harriman, Phillip Smith, Julian Wilcox, Ruwani Perera, John Boynton. Great Southern Television / Stuff
Mata with Mihingarangi Forbes. Annabelle Lee-Mather, Mihingarangi Forbes, Natasha Vela. Aotearoa Media Collective / RNZ / YouTube

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New Zealand On Air Best Children’s Programme

First Place. Eileen Lee, Hope Papali’i. Tikilounge Productions / Coconet TV / TVNZ+
Secrets at Red Rocks. Richard Fletcher, David Stubbs. Libertine Pictures / Sky Open & NEON
Kea Kids News. Luke Nola, Kendall Kukahiko. Luke Nola & Friends / Sky Open

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Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Programme

Māori All Blacks: Bound by Blood. Joe Whitehead, Kimberley Hurley. Pango Productions / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+ / NZR+
Homesteads Season 2. Kimiora Kaire-Melbourne. Te Imurangi Limited / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+
Dead Ahead. Nicole Horan, Scotty Cotter. Hi Mama Productions / TVNZ+
Mata Reports. Annabelle Lee-Mather, Mihingarangi Forbes, Eugene Bingham, Natasha Vela. Aotearoa Media Collective / RNZ / YouTube

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Te Māngai Pāho Best Reo Māori Programme

Ruamata: It’s More Than Hockey 2. Kereama Wright, Mahanga Pihama, Peter Lee, Riria Morgan, Arthur Rasmussen, Matua Houltham. Mairanga Media / RNZ
Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga. Brendon Butt, Bailey Mackey. Pango Productions / TVNZ / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+
End of the Valley. Lea McLean, Richard Curtis. Miro Productions / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+

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New Zealand On Air Best Pasifika Programme

Being Niuean. Natasha Panui-Morris, Shimpal Lelisi. Tikilounge Productions / Coconet TV / RNZ
Fight For The Pacific. Tuki Laumea, Cleo Fraser. Nine Islands Media / Al Jazeera English
We The South: The Manukau Rovers Story. Mark Malaki-Williams, Ross Karl. Sky Sport
First Place. Eileen Lee, Hope Papali’i. Tikilounge Productions / Coconet TV / TVNZ+

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Best News Coverage

Tasman Flooding. Phil O’Sullivan, Laura Barnsley, Tati Urale. 1News / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
America’s Cup Coverage. Lisette Reymer, Lucy Thomson, Lawrence Smith, Claire Watson, Tom Bartlett. Stuff.co.nz / ThreeNews / Three & ThreeNow
Hikoi ki Paremata. Roihana Nuri, Ripeka Timutimu, Peata Melbourne. Aukaha News / Tahu News / Te Reo o Te Uru / Te Ao Māori News / Te Karere
Kiingitanga Tangihanga. Phil O’Sullivan, Laura Barnsley, Tati Urale. 1News / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+

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Best Sports Programme

Māori All Blacks: Bound by Blood. Joe Whitehead, Kimberley Hurley. Pango Productions / Whakaata Māori / NZR+
Grit & Glory. Robyn Scott-Vincent, Peter Brook Bell, Dan Salmon. Attitude Pictures / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
We The South: The Manukau Rovers Story. Mark Malaki-Williams, Ross Karl. Sky Sport

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Best Live Event Coverage

Matariki mā Puanga 2025. Brendon Butt. Kahawai Productions / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+ / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+ / Sky Open / RNZ / Stuff / IWI Radio / Pacifica TV
Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga. Brendon Butt, Bailey Mackey. Pango Productions / TVNZ 2 & TVNZ+ / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+
Te Rā Nehu o te Tangihanga o te Kiingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII. Ngatapa Black, Mokotini Templeton. Waikato-Tainui / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+

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Soljans Estate Winery Best Entertainment Programme

Taskmaster New Zealand Season 5. Bronwynn Bakker, Cam Bakker, Paul Williams. Kevin & Co. / TVNZ 2 & TVNZ+
Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee Season 2. Bronwynn Bakker, Claudine Maclean, Guy Montgomery, Cam Bakker. Kevin & Co. / Three & ThreeNow
Whakanuia. Joe Whitehead. Pango Productions / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+

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Best Director: Documentary/Factual Series

Mike Gattanella. Polk: The Trial of Philip Polkinghorne. Blonde Razor Limited / Three & ThreeNow
Rachel Currie. Diary of a Junior Doctor. Storymaker / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Kathleen Mantel. Motuhaketanga. Black Iris Limited / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+

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Best Director: Documentary Feature

Katie Wolfe. The Haka Party Incident. Tasman Ray / RNZ / 2024
Julian Arahanga. The Stolen Children of Aotearoa. Awa Films / Whakaata Māori / 2025
Rick Harvie and Jane Mahoney. Maurice and I. Belmont Productions / 2024

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Screen Auckland Best Director: Drama Series

Carey Carter. End of the Valley. Miro Productions / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+
Peter Meteherangi Tikao Burger. The Gone Season 2. Kingfisher Films / Keeper Pictures / Southern Light Films / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Chris Parker & Madeleine Sami. Double Parked Season 2. Kevin & Co. / Three & ThreeNow

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Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand Best Director: Drama Feature

Miki Magasiva. Tinā. The Brown Factory / 2025
Lee Tamahori. The Convert. Jump Film and Television / Brouhaha Entertainment / 2024
James Ashcroft. The Rule of Jenny Pen. Hyenas Rule Ltd / 2025

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Best Actress in a Series

Antonia Prebble. Double Parked Season 2. Kevin & Co. / Three & ThreeNow
Madeleine Sami. Double Parked Season 2. Kevin & Co. / Three & ThreeNow
Miriama Smith. Dead Ahead. Hi Mama Productions / TVNZ+

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Equity New Zealand Best Actress in a Feature

Elizabeth Hawthorne. The Moon is Upside Down. Miss Conception Films Ltd / Escapade Pictures Ltd / 2024
Anapela Polata’ivao. Tinā. The Brown Factory / 2025
Victoria Haralabidou. The Moon is Upside Down. Miss Conception Films Ltd / Escapade Pictures Ltd / 2024
Erana James. We Were Dangerous. Piki Films / 2024

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Best Supporting Actress in a Series

Kura Forrester. Double Parked Season 2. Kevin & Co. / Three & ThreeNow
Natalie Medlock. Vince. Kevin & Co. / Three & ThreeNow
Ariāna Osborne. Madam. Tavake / XYZ Films / Three & ThreeNow

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Best Supporting Actress in a Feature

Miriama Smith. Ka Whawhai Tonu. Akeake Ltd / 2024
Antonia Eaton. Tinā. The Brown Factory / 2025
Rima Te Wiata. We Were Dangerous. Piki Films / 2024

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Best Actor in a Series

Stephen Lovatt. Shortland Street. South Pacific Pictures / TVNZ 2 & TVNZ+
Richard Flood. The Gone Season 2. Kingfisher Films / Keeper Pictures / Southern Light Films / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Xavier Horan. Dead Ahead. Hi Mama Productions / TVNZ+

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Best Actor in a Feature

Geoffrey Rush. The Rule of Jenny Pen. Hyenas Rule Ltd / 2025
Ed Oxenbould. Head South. Head South Cohort / 2024
John Lithgow. The Rule of Jenny Pen. Hyenas Rule Ltd / 2025
Julian Dennison. Uproar. Velvet Moss / Caravan Carpark Films / Kingston Productions / 2023

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Best Supporting Actor in a Series

Martin Henderson. Madam. Tavake / XYZ Films / Three & ThreeNow
Dominic Ona-Ariki. Double Parked Season 2. Kevin & Co. / Three & ThreeNow
Peter Hambleton. Happiness. Greenstone TV / Three & ThreeNow

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Best Supporting Actor in a Feature

Beulah Koale. Tinā. The Brown Factory / 2025
George Henare. The Rule of Jenny Pen. Hyenas Rule Ltd / 2025
Temuera Morrison. Ka Whawhai Tonu. Akeake Ltd / 2024

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Reporter of the Year

Indira Stewart. TVNZ+ In-Depth. TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Paula Penfold. ThreeNews. Stuff.co.nz / Three & ThreeNow
Michael Morrah. Michael Morrah Investigates. NZ Herald / NZME
Barbara Dreaver. 1News. TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+

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Best Presenter: Entertainment

Jeremy Corbett. 7 Days. Sky / Three & ThreeNow
Brynley Stent & Kura Forrester. Bryn & Ku’s Singles Club. The Spinoff
Guy Montgomery & Sanjay Patel. Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee Season 2. Kevin & Co. / Three & ThreeNow
Dave Letele. Heavyweight with Dave Letele. Heavyweight Media / South Pacific Pictures / TVNZ 2 & TVNZ+

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Best Presenter: News and Current Affairs

Ryan Bridge. HeraldNOW. NZ Herald / NZME
Moana Maniapoto. Te Ao with Moana. Black Pearl Limited / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+
Jack Tame. Q+A with Jack Tame. TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
John Campbell. TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+

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Best Editing: Documentary / Factual - Series

Justin Hawkes. Live and Let Dai. South Pacific Pictures / Three & ThreeNow
Tim Woodhouse, James Brown. Choir Games. Spacific Films / Sky Open & NEON
Simon Coldrick. Polk: The Trial of Philip Polkinghorne. Blonde Razor Ltd / Three & ThreeNow

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Best Editing: Documentary / Factual - Feature

Sacha Campbell. Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara. The Down Low Concept / 2025
Josh Yong. Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua Two Worlds. Monsoon Pictures International / Whakaata Māori / 2025
Richard Lord. Maurice and I. Belmont Productions / 2024

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Best Editing: Drama - Series

Bryan Shaw. The Gone Season 2. Kingfisher Films / Keeper Pictures / Southern Light Films / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Lisa Hough. Happiness. Greenstone TV / Three & ThreeNow
Luke Earl, Rhys Green. Double Parked Season 2. Kevin & Co. / Three & ThreeNow

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Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand Best Editing: Drama - Feature

Gretchen Peterson. The Rule of Jenny Pen. Hyenas Rule Ltd / 2025
Chris Plummer, Martin Brinkler ACE. Joika. Four Knights Film / 2024
Luke Haigh. The Convert. Jump Film and Television / Brouhaha Entertainment / 2024

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Best Camerawork: Documentary / Factual - Series

Sean Loftin. Wheel Blacks: Bodies on the Line. Sweet Productions Ltd / Sky Open & NEON
Tom Fowlie. Homesteads Season 2. Te Imurangi Limited / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+
Dominic Fryer. Live and Let Dai. South Pacific Pictures / Three & ThreeNow

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Best Camerawork: Documentary / Factual - Feature

Tim Flower. Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua Two Worlds. Monsoon Pictures International / Whakaata Māori / 2025
Evan Howell. Unmasking The Monsters. Greenstone TV / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+ / 2024
Brandon Te Moananui. The Stolen Children of Aotearoa. Awa Films / Whakaata Māori / 2025

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Best Director: Multi-Camera

Marcus Hildyard. Constellation Cup – Silver Ferns v Australia. Sky Sport
Marcus Kennedy. 2024 Bledisloe Cup – Wellington. Sky Sport
Matt Barrett. Anzac 2025. Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+
Mark Kearns. 2025 Super Rugby – Crusaders v Blues. Sky Sport

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Images and Sound Best Cinematography: Drama Series

Dave Cameron NZCS ACS. Madam. Tavake / XYZ Films / Three & ThreeNow
Simon Tutty. Secrets at Red Rocks. Libertine Pictures / Sky Open & NEON
Dave Cameron NZCS ACS. A Remarkable Place to Die. Screentime New Zealand and Real Film Berlin / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+

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Images and Sound Best Cinematography: Feature Film

Maria Inés Manchego NZCS. We Were Dangerous. Piki Films / 2024
Gin Loane. The Convert. Jump Film and Television / Brouhaha Entertainment / 2024
Richard Bluck. Ash. GFC Films / 2024
Andrew McGeorge. Tinā. The Brown Factory / 2025

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Best Contribution to a Soundtrack: Series

Pinnacle Post Sound Team. Time Bandits. Piki Films / Paramount Television / Apple TV
Tom Miskin, Melanie Graham, Mike Bayliss, Steve Finnigan. Secrets at Red Rocks. Libertine Pictures / Sky Open & NEON
Envy Studios – Vedat Kiyici, Morten Gamst. Badjelly. Mukpuddy / TVNZ 2 & TVNZ+

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Screen Music & Sound Guild of New Zealand Best Contribution to a Soundtrack: Feature

John McKay, Matthew Lambourn. The Rule of Jenny Pen. Hyenas Rule Ltd / 2025
Nick Buckton, Dmitry Novikov, Alex Chalcoff, Gareth Van Niekerk. Joika. Four Knights Film / 2024
Dick Reade, Bruce Langley. Ka Whawhai Tonu. Akeake Ltd / 2024
Liquid Studios. Tinā. The Brown Factory / 2025

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Images and Sound. Best Original Score – Series

Plan 9 – Janet Roddick, Steve Roche, David Donaldson. A Remarkable Place to Die. Screentime New Zealand and Real Film Berlin / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper. The Gone Season 2. Kingfisher Films / Keeper Pictures / Southern Light Films / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Stephen Gallagher, David Long. Secrets at Red Rocks. Libertine Pictures / Sky Open & NEON

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Images and Sound Best Original Score – Feature

Dana Lund. Joika. Four Knights Film / 2024
John Gibson. The Rule of Jenny Pen. Hyenas Rule Ltd / 2025
Arli Liberman, Tiki Taane. Ka Whawhai Tonu. Akeake Ltd / 2024
Sebastien Pan. Tinā. The Brown Factory / 2025

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Best Post Production Design – Series

Alana Cotton – Colourist. Secrets at Red Rocks. Libertine Pictures / Sky Open & NEON
Jemma Lee – Colourist. End of the Valley. Miro Productions / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+
Damian McDonnell – Colourist. Time Bandits. Piki Films / Paramount Television / Apple TV

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Best Post Production Design – Feature

Carol Petrie, Jacob Leaf, Brenton Cumberpatch – VFX. Ash. GFC Films / 2024
Alana Cotton – Colourist. Ash. GFC Films / 2024
James Gardner – Colourist. Ka Whawhai Tonu. Akeake Ltd / 2024

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Best Production Design – Series

Nick Williams. The Gone Season 2. Kingfisher Films / Keeper Pictures / Southern Light Films / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Kylie Tiuka. End of the Valley. Miro Productions / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+
John Allan. Under the Vines Season 3. Libertine Pictures & Perpetual Entertainment / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+

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Best Production Design – Feature

Shayne Radford. Ka Whawhai Tonu. Akeake Ltd / 2024
Nick Williams, Guy Moana. The Convert. Jump Film and Television / Brouhaha Entertainment / 2024
Miro Harré. We Were Dangerous. Piki Films / 2024

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Best Costume Design – Series

Tania Klouwens. The Brokenwood Mysteries. South Pacific Pictures / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Sammy Salsa. Madam. Tavake / XYZ Films / Three & ThreeNow
Sarah Voon. My Life is Murder. Greenstone TV / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+

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Best Costume Design – Feature

Liz McGregor. The Convert. Jump Film and Television / Brouhaha Entertainment / 2024
Te Ura Hoskins. Ka Whawhai Tonu. Akeake Ltd / 2024
Daisy Marcuzzi. We Were Dangerous. Piki Films / 2024

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Best Makeup Design – Series

Kevin Dufty. Happiness. Greenstone TV / Three & ThreeNow
Kevin Dufty. The Brokenwood Mysteries. South Pacific Pictures / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Terese Tomlins. Dead Ahead. Hi Mama Productions / TVNZ+

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Best Makeup Design – Feature

Verity Griffiths, Brydie Stone. Forgive Us All. Stiles Pictures / Five Films / 2025
Frankie Karena, Don Brooker. The Rule of Jenny Pen. Hyenas Rule Ltd / 2025
Gabrielle Jones. The Convert. Jump Film and Television / Brouhaha Entertainment / 2024

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Australian Writers’ Guild Authorship Collecting Society Best Script: Series

Victoria Boult. n00b. Great Southern Television / Three & ThreeNow
Richard J Curtis, Lea McLean. End of the Valley. Miro Productions / Whakaata Māori & MĀORI+
Tim Balme. The Brokenwood Mysteries. South Pacific Pictures / TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+
Dan Musgrove. Happiness. Greenstone TV / Three & ThreeNow

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