Brian Gaynor Initiative Key In Investigative Journalism Award Win
Last year, Jonathan was the inaugural recipient of funding for investigative business journalism from BGI. The award, established to honour long-time broker, analyst and business columnist Brian Gaynor, provided financial help allowing Jonathan to research, write and produce his podcast series Powder Keg – about New Zealander Chris Ashenden and his billion-dollar supplements company AG1.
On Friday night, Jonathan Milne and Powder Keg won Business Journalist of the Year and Best Original Podcast or Series, as well as being a finalist in the Best Investigation category at the News Publishers' Association-run awards.
'I'd been wanting to tell the story of Chris Ashenden and AG1 for months, but high-quality audio-visual storytelling isn't cheap and resources are tight across the media,' Jonathan says. 'I'd all but given up, then the Brian Gaynor Initiative announced its business journalism funding.
'This was like no journalism grant I'd seen before. A high-trust model gave Newsroom the freedom and flexibility to go where the story led us. As our investigations revealed a far bigger story than we'd imagined, we realised that to track down Ashenden, we'd need to go to Colombia, and then Mexico. BGI trusted us, and backed us, and dug still deeper.
'The story simply wouldn't have happened without that support.'
Anna Gibbons, Brian Gaynor's wife and BGI chair, says he would have been delighted an investigative piece that without funding would not have been possible, had won at the Voyagers.
'This is tangible evidence of the success of our goal – to support important business stories being told.'
BGI recently changed its funding process for investigative projects so they can now be submitted throughout the year.
'We believe this is more in keeping with the nature of journalism as it's practised. We want journalists who come across a potentially substantial investigation to be able to apply when the opportunity arises,' Anna says.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
12 hours ago
- Scoop
NZ Trucking Association Backs Move Towards Single Road User Charges System
Press Release – NZ Trucking Association With the cost of roading maintenance and investment rapidly rising, the current model is no longer sustainable. The Association says a wholesale fix is needed to ensure all road users contribute fairly to the upkeep of the countrys road network. The New Zealand Trucking Association (NTA) has welcomed the announcement by Transport Minister Chris Bishop to move towards a single, unified system for collecting revenue for the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF), based on Road User Charges (RUC). 'This is a common-sense and necessary shift,' says NZ Trucking Association CEO David Boyce. 'New Zealand's fuel excise model is outdated and failing to meet the needs of our transport system. As more vehicles transition to new technology, including electric and alternative fuels, fuel excise revenue continues to decline, leaving an ever-widening gap between the cost of maintaining our roads and the funds available to do so.' With the cost of roading maintenance and investment rapidly rising, the current model is no longer sustainable. The Association says a wholesale fix is needed to ensure all road users contribute fairly to the upkeep of the country's road network. 'Road User Charges are a proven, transparent way to ensure users pay based on the actual wear and tear they place on the network. Expanding RUC to all vehicle types is the fairest and most efficient way to secure long-term, sustainable funding,' says Boyce. 'All road users benefit from safe and reliable roads; it's only right that all users contribute to the cost.' The New Zealand Trucking Association supports the Government's direction and notes that this shift is not political, it is essential, and would need to happen regardless of which party holds power. 'Road funding isn't a party issue. It's a national issue,' says Boyce. 'The longer we delay, the worse the state of our roads will become. This is about protecting the future of our transport system.' The Association also supports the use of digital innovation to streamline the RUC system, making it easier and more efficient for operators and private motorists alike. The NZ Trucking Association looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Government officials and other stakeholders to support this transition and ensure the new system delivers fairness, efficiency, and sustainability for all New Zealand road users.
Scoop
13 hours ago
- Scoop
NZ Trucking Association Backs Move Towards Single Road User Charges System
The New Zealand Trucking Association (NTA) has welcomed the announcement by Transport Minister Chris Bishop to move towards a single, unified system for collecting revenue for the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF), based on Road User Charges (RUC). 'This is a common-sense and necessary shift,' says NZ Trucking Association CEO David Boyce. 'New Zealand's fuel excise model is outdated and failing to meet the needs of our transport system. As more vehicles transition to new technology, including electric and alternative fuels, fuel excise revenue continues to decline, leaving an ever-widening gap between the cost of maintaining our roads and the funds available to do so.' With the cost of roading maintenance and investment rapidly rising, the current model is no longer sustainable. The Association says a wholesale fix is needed to ensure all road users contribute fairly to the upkeep of the country's road network. 'Road User Charges are a proven, transparent way to ensure users pay based on the actual wear and tear they place on the network. Expanding RUC to all vehicle types is the fairest and most efficient way to secure long-term, sustainable funding,' says Boyce. 'All road users benefit from safe and reliable roads; it's only right that all users contribute to the cost.' The New Zealand Trucking Association supports the Government's direction and notes that this shift is not political, it is essential, and would need to happen regardless of which party holds power. 'Road funding isn't a party issue. It's a national issue,' says Boyce. 'The longer we delay, the worse the state of our roads will become. This is about protecting the future of our transport system.' The Association also supports the use of digital innovation to streamline the RUC system, making it easier and more efficient for operators and private motorists alike. The NZ Trucking Association looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Government officials and other stakeholders to support this transition and ensure the new system delivers fairness, efficiency, and sustainability for all New Zealand road users.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Unemployment Lower Than Forecast
Minister of Finance The latest labour market data showing lower than forecast unemployment has been noted by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Stats NZ data released today shows the unemployment rate for the June quarter was 5.2 per cent, below the Treasury forecast of 5.4 per cent. 'Rising unemployment is tough on every New Zealander impacted and is the unfortunate after-effect of a historic period of out-of-control inflation, rapidly rising interest rates and stagnant growth. 'Our Government has worked hard to restore responsible economic management but Treasury, in its pre-election fiscal update, made clear that unemployment would peak in the middle of this year. It's of note, however, that today's data confirms 8000 fewer unemployed people than Treasury forecast would be the case in its pre-election update. 'Our Government remains focused on rebuilding the economy to deliver more and better paying jobs. A recovery is now underway with inflation back under control, interest rates falling and healthy rates of growth in the first three months of the year. 'Despite global volatility and factors outside our control, we remain confident in New Zealand's economic prospects and are working hard to create the conditions for future job creation with $6 billion of government-funded construction work kicking off before Christmas, fast-track projects beginning, exports growing and the Investment Boost tax policy giving businesses a reason to invest and grow. 'We also note that average hourly earnings rose 4.5 per cent in the past year driven by wages in the private sector. This is well ahead of inflation at 2.7 per cent.'
