Newsroom's Jonathan Milne wins two national media awards
Milne, who is managing editor of the Newsroom Pro subscriber newsletter and section, won praise from judges of both awards for his investigative and story-telling talents.
Those judging best business journalist said: 'Jonathan's entry shows he can break big stories, develop and use a wide range of contacts, and write a great article. But we were particularly impressed by his podcast, Powder Keg, which saw him chasing a story – and a recalcitrant high-flying Kiwi CEO – from Invercargill to Colombia and finally a Mexican beach resort.'xxxxx
Milne edits the daily Newsroom Pro newsletter 8 Things, an essential morning briefing on policy, the economy, business and politics.
He has broken major stories on infrastructure, water, construction, local government, primary industries and resources.
Milne accepting the award for business journalist of the year. Photo: Fox Meyer
A separate panel of Voyager judges for best original podcast – one of the most significant awards in this era – said:
'Powder Keg starts with curiosity and ends with an investigation spanning continents and making global news. Jonathan Milne with Mike Wesley-Smith meticulously researched every angle of the compellingly told AG1 nutritional supplement story. His efforts uncovered local scams, led to the resignation of the CEO, revelations that it was not 'Made in NZ', and complaints to the US Food and Drug Administration. Indeed, Jonathan put his 'body on the line' by taking the product as part of the investigation. This podcast has international impact and exposes the supplement industry.'
PowderKeg was co-reported/produced by Mike Wesley-Smith and edited by Dave Filoiali'i, and Megan Cumberpatch, the project overseen by Newsroom co-editor Mark Jennings. The podcast was made possible by a generous grant from the Brian Gaynor Foundation, supporting public interest business journalism.
The 11-episode Powder Keg series, which launched on Newsroom's Delve podcast platform late in 2024 has had more than 410,000 downloads. You can listen to it, now open to all, here.
It investigates the $1.2b supplement company AG1 and its elusive founder 'Chris the Kiwi' Ashenden, now resigned, his criminal past and business dealings. It also examines the company's use of social media influencers and the lack of scientific evidence behind the marketing of the nutritional supplement.
Powder Keg was lauded by a Fortune magazine writer as 'brilliant' and 'meticulously reported'.
Milne, a highly regarded former political editor and editor of the Sunday Star-Times and Cook Island News, regards the podcast as 'the best thing I've done in 28 years in journalism.'
He says it's important those using the $100-a-month superstar-backed supplement are aware of its questionable science.
Mike Wesley Smith and Jonathan Milne accepting the Best Original Podcast award from host Jeremy Corbett. Photo: Fox Meyer
Powder Keg won from a field including finalists Juggernaut by Toby Manhire of The Spinoff and Uncut Diamond Daniella by Daniella Smith and Dane Giraud, for RNZ.
The two other finalists for best business journalist were Nicholas Jones, now of Stuff, and Nikki Macdonald of Stuff.
Newsroom political reporter Fox Meyer was a finalist for the up and coming journalist award, won by Bonnie Jansen of the NZ Herald.
Industry awards included:
Best digital platform – Stuff.co.nz
Newspaper of the Year – Herald on Sunday
Best investigation – Darleen Tana saga, Stuff
Scoop of the Year* – Darleen Tana saga, Stuff
Best current affairs video (short-form) – Children of Prisoners, TVNZ, Indira Stewart
The main individual awards:
Reporter of the year – Anusha Bradley, RNZ
News journalist – Michael Morrah, NZME
Sports journalist – Dana Johannsen, RNZ
Political journalist – Andrea Vance, Stuff
Photographer – Iain McGregor, Stuff
Feature writer – Charlie Mitchell, Stuff
Columnist – Joel McManus, Spinoff
Video journalist – Zoe Madden-Smith, Re-news/TVNZ
One finalist for the Scoop of the Year award was withdrawn, late, by media firm NZME after legal issues with NZ Herald stories submitted about a Tipene Funerals employee convicted of interfering with human remains and obtaining by deception.
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