The Eastern Bay’s SunFM 106.5 has been named Independent Station of the Year at the 2026 NZ Radio and Podcast Awards.

The awards were announced at the NZ International Convention Centre in Auckland, where the radio and podcasting industry gathered to recognise excellence across Aotearoa.

They celebrate work across on-air personalities, programming, podcasts, news, sport, promotions, creativity, production, sales and community involvement.

SunFM was named winner of Independent Station of the Year alongside fellow finalists, 2XS FM, 95bFM and Radio Tarana.

SunFM and TumekeFM station manager Jarrod Dodd said the award reflected the full strength of the station and the community behind it.

“This is a huge moment for SunFM, but it is not an award that belongs to one person or one part of the operation.

“What people hear on air is only part of the story. Behind the station is a wider team of announcers, account managers, promotions, production, administration, management, governance, trustees, clients, sponsors, former staff, whānau and loyal listeners.

“Every business that advertises with us, every sponsor that backs a promotion, every listener who tunes in, every caller, every competition entry, every shared post and every person who turns up to a SunFM event has helped shape the station into what it is today.

“We are proud to be independent, but we are even prouder to be local.”

The recognition also extended to TumekeFM, with Reo Rangahau, by Professor Taiarahia Black, winning Best Te Reo Māori/Te Ao Māori Initiative.

Dodd said the win was a powerful acknowledgement of Black’s contribution to te reo Māori, mātauranga Māori and Māori broadcasting.

“To see Professor Taiarahia Black recognised nationally is something we are incredibly proud of. His reo, his mātauranga and his ability to bring depth and meaning to our airwaves is a taonga for our people.

“Reo Rangahau is exactly the kind of kaupapa TumekeFM exists to support.

“It strengthens te reo Māori, gives mana to mātauranga Māori and ensures our stories, our kupu and our worldview continue to be heard.”

TumekeFM was a finalist in Best Broadcast in Te Reo Māori for Tumeke FM Shows, standing alongside other strong reo Māori broadcasters from across Aotearoa.

For TumekeFM, the finalist recognition reflects the collective kaupapa of the station. “We are genuinely grateful for TumekeFM being selected as a finalist. People hear the voices on air, but there is always a wider team standing behind them. This recognition reflects the full kaupapa, from our broadcasters and content teams through to Pūkāea, our account managers, governance, trustees, whānau, iwi, clients and listeners. Everyone plays a part.”

The 2026 NZ Radio and Podcast Awards received 636 entries from across the industry.

RBA chief executive and awards chair Clare Bradley said the quality of the work showed why podcast audiences were growing and radio audiences remained strong, with more than 3.7 million listeners aged 10 and over listening each week.

Dodd said the results were a reminder that local radio and Māori broadcasting continued to matter.

“Radio still connects people in a way few other platforms can. It keeps communities informed, entertained and connected.

“For us, it is also about reflecting who we are, where we come from and the people we serve.”

“We are grateful, humbled and proud. Most of all, we are motivated to keep lifting the standard for local radio and Māori broadcasting.”