Qantas Television Awards 2007 Winners Announced

The winners of the Qantas Television Awards 2007 were unveiled this evening at the Television industry's prestigious annual awards event. Held at Auckland's Aotea Centre, the awards were hosted by popular television presenters Jason Gunn and Petra Bagust.

The Qantas Television Awards honour outstanding New Zealand television production in general television and news and current affairs.

Outrageous Fortune (South Pacific Pictures) was the prominent winner of the night, collecting five of their eight nominations for; Best Actor (Antony Starr), Best Actress (Robyn Malcolm), Best Drama, Best Script (James Griffin) and Best Editing (non-factual). The judges said Antony Starr "inhabits the role like no-one else could; he has the gift of charisma as well as talent".

The judges praised Robyn Malcolm for being "a consummate actress who dominates the screen in her role as Cheryl West. Outrageous Fortune has characters that you want to come back and watch week after week."

Other notable wins in the general television categories went to; Dancing with the Stars for Best Entertainment programme, Marae DIY for Best Reality Programme (format), Pulp Sport for Best Comedy and Lets Get Inventin for Best Children's/Youth Programme. The judges remarks included; "truly international in scale and presentation (Dancing with the Stars), "fresh elements executed with great heart" (Marae DIY ), "irrepressibly creative" (Pulp Sport), "slick, fresh and multi-layered" (Lets Get Inventin).

In the news and current affairs categories TV3 won the coveted Best News trophy, with the judges declaring; "of all the bulletins entered in the category, this was clearly the stand-out". TV3 also dominated this year, winning; Best Current Affairs Reporting Daily (Campbell Live), Best News Reporting (3 News), Best Current Affairs Series (60 Minutes) and Investigation of the Year (3-News Special ‘Let Us Spray'). 3 News reporter Duncan Garner won the TV Journalist of the Year Award.

The highly competitive Best Presenter accolade went to Close Up's Mark Sainsbury (TVNZ). The judges chose Sainsbury saying; "With a difficult subject, multiple interviewees in various locations, he was sensitive, strong and deft in controlling the panel and debate. A direct and engaging on air manner but the hirsute hounder could do with a shave".

TVNZ's flagship current affairs show, Sunday picked up three awards on the night including Best Current Affairs Reporting for a Weekly programme, with the judges exclaiming; "Essential Current Affairs reporting that provides a highly significant contribution to a major story".

Chairman of the Television Broadcasters' Council, Brent Impey said: "The high calibre of locally made television celebrated at tonight's Qantas Television Awards is a tribute to the strength and diversity of New Zealand's television production industry".

Mr Impey added; "The Qantas Television Awards, now in its third year, has been well supported by this country's foremost television makers, firmly cementing these awards as the premiere event to best showcase these talented New Zealanders".

Qantas New Zealand Regional General Manager Grant Lilly said "Qantas has a proud tradition of supporting awards in journalism for over 30 years and are delighted to be a sponsor of these awards since their beginning in 2005. Congratulations to all the winners on their outstanding achievement."

The evening began with a dramatic welcome and aerial performance by Tanemahuta and the cast of Maui. Guest presenters included screen stars; Hilary Barry, Jim Hickey, Jeremy Corbett, Wendy Petrie, Carol Hirschfeld, Brendan Pongia and actors Adam Rickett, Robyn Malcolm, Laura Hill and Shane Cortese. Then changing tempo, Candy Lane and an all-star line-up heated up the night with a spectacular dance performance. The Qantas Children's Choir who were flown in from Australia to perform also enthralled the audience, with the grand finale by leading New Zealand band Evermore, performing for the first time with the Auckland Philharmonia.

In addition to the 30 peer judged Qantas Awards, the Woman's Day People's Choice Awards were also announced on the night. Public votes declared their favourite New Zealand Show - Outrageous Fortune, Favourite International Show - Grey's Anatomy, Favourite New Zealand Female Personality - Robyn Malcolm and Favourite New Zealand Male Personality - Marc Ellis.

"A record number of votes – more than 34,000 – were received for this year's Woman's Day People's Choice awards. We are thrilled with the response," said the magazine's editor-in-chief Megan McChesney. "Once again the people of New Zealand demonstrated how passionate they are about their Kiwi shows and Kiwi talent."

The Qantas Television Awards screens on TV ONE on Saturday, November 24 at 8.30pm.

View the full press release with category winners.

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