2026 Categories
Best Adventure & Travel Podcast
For podcasts that transport listeners to new places, cultures and experiences, from travel guides and destination storytelling to outdoor adventure, exploration and personal journeys.
Best Branded Podcast
For advertiser-funded podcasts where editorial and sponsor aims work seamlessly together. Outstanding entries should add value to the brand’s audience or reach new audiences. Supported by PODLAB
Best Business Podcast
For podcasts inspiring business leaders, exploring leadership, finance or industry. The best entries should be fresh-sounding, personable, inclusive and reflect diverse ideas and backgrounds. Supported by Generate KiwiSaver
Best Comedy Podcast
For podcasts that aren’t just funny, but have finely crafted jokes inside. From panel shows to parody, improv to sitcoms, judges reward the podcast that tickled the jury the most.
Best Current Affairs Podcast
For business, news, current affairs, discussion or journalism podcasts that offer insight into society. Outstanding entries should find new angles beyond headlines and remain relevant beyond the week of publication.
Best Documentary Podcast
For documentaries that take listeners into new worlds and experiences through real people, places and events. Judges look for facts woven into a compelling and truthful narrative.
Best Education Podcast
For podcasts that play an educational role, whether teaching a language, self-help, professional skills or structured lessons. Outstanding entries should demonstrate strong teaching techniques and production skills.
Best Entertainment Podcast
For podcasts that provide escapism, energy and enjoyment. Outstanding entries should celebrate eclectic content or features that audiences genuinely love. Supported by PODLAB
Best Factual Podcast
For podcasts that improve understanding of ourselves and the world in an entertaining and accessible way, whether through trivia, deep dives or highly specific subjects.
Best Family Podcast
Recognising shows that entertain children through storytelling, facts or jokes, as well as parenting podcasts that offer honest, helpful insights into family life. Outstanding entries should educate in an accessible and entertaining way.
Best Fiction Podcast
For drama, readings and new storytelling formats. Outstanding entries should use production and sound design suited to headphone listening. Entries can include up to 30 minutes of audio, as one piece or up to five clips, and must have released at least three episodes in the past eighteen months.
Best Health & Wellbeing Podcast
For self-help and improvement podcasts focused on positive mental health. Entries should show compassion when tackling sensitive topics and/or provide useful tools for listeners.
Best History Podcast
For podcasts covering history, from Indigenous prehistory to the twentieth century. Outstanding entries should show accuracy, perspective, passion, empathy and relevance.
Best Host
For the presenter who brings a podcast to life through personality, preparation, curiosity and connection with their audience. This category recognises outstanding hosting across any genre, from interviews and storytelling to comedy, sport, news, culture and conversation. Judges will look for confidence, originality, warmth, strong listening skills and the ability to guide a show with clarity, energy and authenticity.
Best Independent Podcast
The New Zealand Podcast Awards are looking for the finest independent media, making a real difference to the medium. To be considered, enter any standard category and use the opt-in tickbox at no extra cost. This category is for independent podcasters only. Supported by Generate KiwiSaver
Best Interview
For compelling interview formats across topics such as books, comedy, health or human interest. Entries can be one extract from a podcast published since July 2022, up to 15 minutes long.
Best Māori or Pasifika Podcast
Free to enter when entering any regular category. Recognises podcasts entered into any category that are created, hosted or produced by Māori and Pasifika talent.
Best Music Podcast
For podcasts that celebrate music, musicians and the stories behind the songs. This category includes artist interviews, music journalism, scene storytelling, album discussion, music history, industry insight and shows that bring listeners closer to the sounds, people and culture of music.
Best Network or Publisher
For companies with a public-facing brand around a slate of shows. Entries should include clips from up to five podcasts and a written submission detailing success over the year.
Best New Podcast
Champions the best launch of a show across any genre. To qualify, the podcast must have launched six episodes since July 2022. Supported by PODLAB
Best Radio Podcast
For shows that first aired on broadcast radio and found a strong home in podcasting. The category recognises radio programmes that suit podcast audiences and offer fresh perspectives or formats.
Best Sex & Relationships Podcast
Recognising podcasts in sex education and relationship advice that represent a wider variety of experiences. Outstanding entries should be well-researched, well-presented and able to address taboos accessibly.
Best Society & Culture Podcast
Celebrating podcasts that explore people, identity, creativity, culture and modern life across Aotearoa and beyond. This category includes arts, culture, community, social issues, personal stories and conversations that offer fresh perspectives, strong voices and a clear sense of relevance.
Best Sports Podcast
For sports podcasts with strong analysis, entertaining contributors, access or loyal audiences. Audience size is not the main factor; niche sports made accessible are valued too.
Best True Crime Podcast
For original investigations or storytelling in true crime. Judges look for strong research, evocative storytelling, human stories and creative use of format.
Podcast of the Year
The highest honour, chosen from Gold winners across the categories. Outstanding entries should show excellent presentation, original research or writing, strong sound design and boundary-pushing material. Supported by Generate KiwiSaver
The Climate Award
For podcasts tackling the climate and environmental emergency. Shows do not need to be about climate every week, but should demonstrate impact through compelling audio or sustainable production.
The Creativity Award
All entrants are considered automatically. Chosen by judges, this award recognises a single piece of audio with standout creativity in storytelling, sound design, performance, editing or a combination of these.
The Listeners’ Choice Award
A public poll where listeners vote for their favourite podcast for free on the website. Voting opens when nominees are announced.
The Rising Star Award
For new producers, marketers, editors, social media gurus, or presenters with under two years’ experience in podcasting. Entrants can nominate themselves or a colleague with a 15-minute audio compilation and supporting statement. Supported by AUT
The Spotlight Award
Free to enter for any podcast with over 20,000 downloads per episode. Designed for podcasts with sizeable audiences bringing the medium into the mainstream.