From over 60 submissions that included television and audio pieces, interactives, online news stories, and long-form features, we have eleven finalists for the 2025 Science Journalism Awards.
Many thanks to our three judges, who’ve had the difficult task of choosing between a range of impressive entries: virologist Professor Jemma Geoghegan, the latest winner of the Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize, science writer and editor Veronika Meduna, and journalist and editor Alison Harley.
Here are the finalists for the established and emerging journalist categories:
Established professionals:
World Building: The Story of Kōura
– Bill Morris (writer) and Richard Robinson (photographer), NZ Geographic
Crayfish are the “great creators and cleanup crew” of their freshwater homes, in this piece which weaves together great photos, human stories, facts and mātauranga. This story’s nominator said it’s clear that Bill cares deeply about kōura, and our judges described the piece as a “thorough and fascinating insight into a creature few know much about”.
Our Musical Minds
– Claire Concannon, RNZ
Claire Concannon uses interview, song, and sound to look at the psychology behind how we listen and respond to music. Judges commended the use of sound and interview to draw in the listener, and said it was “beautifully produced”.
Cold water swimming
– Gill Higgins (reporter), Gary Hopper/Rewi Heke (camera), Hamish Hodges (editor), TVNZ on demand
Gill Higgins’ video entry takes us through the science around cold water immersion. Gill said the broadcast inspired conversations about the impact of taiao on mental wellbeing, while our judges appreciated the balance of personal experience and science, and the empathetic storytelling.
The End of the Everywhere Bird
– Kate Evans (writer) and Richard Robinson (photographer), NZ Geographic
The seemingly ubiquitous red-billed gull is under threat from climate change, fishing, and predators. Kate Evans says she hadn’t thought red-bills were all that interesting until she convinced herself while working on this story, which was the idea of photographer Richie Robinson. The judges highlighted the “wonderful” interview talent and the quality of the writing.
Room for the river
– Kate Newton (writer) and Hingyi Khong (designer), RNZ
Kate Newton’s feature article combines aerial imagery, maps, and photos, to show how human changes to the Ngaruroro River contributed to its flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle. Our judges commended the digital storytelling and the way Kate created an interesting article that also made sense of complex environmental and local government issues.
‘We learned the hard way’: Samoa remembers a deadly measles outbreak and a visit from RFK Jr
– Michelle Duff, The Guardian
Michelle Duff travels to Sāmoa to investigate how RFK Jr’s 2019 visit and anti-vaccination propaganda affected Sāmoan people’s experience of the measles epidemic later that year. The judges highlighted the timeliness of the piece and Michelle’s huge effort to meet people who had been affected.
Emerging journalists:
‘Scary’: Tuvalu’s climate change minister on island nation’s future
– ‘Alakihihifo Vailala, Pacific Media Network
‘Alakihihifo Vailala reported from Tuvalu on the Coastal Adaptation Project to reclaim high land so that locals can remain there as sea levels rise. The judges said this entry showed the importance of having Pacific journalists covering the region.
Global Lack of Medical Oxygen Supply
– Amani Sadique, 95bFM’s The Wire
Following a new report showing hundreds of thousands of people are dying each year through a lack of access to medical oxygen, Amani Sadique spoke with a local expert who has overseas experience in hospitals dealing with oxygen shortages. Our judges commented on the quality of Amani’s questions and found the interview “fascinating”.
Inevitable solar storms will be catastrophic for energy supply
– Fox Meyer, Newsroom
Fox Meyer writes about the risks to modern electrical grids from huge solar storms. A third-party nominator called the article “a great invitation to look beyond the stunning auroras” and focus on mitigating the disruption. The judges highlighted the complex information, and the fact this story takes an under-reported angle on auroras.
Why South Dunedin is so vulnerable to flooding – and why it could get worse
– James Ball, 1News
James Ball reports on the environmental context for South Dunedin’s October 2024 floods. Our judges said it was a “Great local story with broader relevance nationwide,” commending the inclusion of the wetlands’ history.
Dental dams make oral sex safer. Why don’t we use them more?
– Janhavi Gosavi, Re:News
In this piece, Janhavi Gosavi demystifies how dental dams work and why they are important for protection during oral sex. Janhavi said this was her most talked about, remembered, and gasped-at piece of 2024. Our judges appreciated the frank and direct writing style, which made an often avoided topic easy to understand.
The winner for each category will be announced on the evening of Wednesday 18 June in Wellington.