NZBS students earn TVNZ recognition for powerful storytelling

_{1 News and Current Affairs Best Documentary award winners Caleb Ryan and Rachel Woods}

The New Zealand Broadcasting School (NZBS) and TVNZ have once again joined forces to celebrate emerging talent in journalism and documentary filmmaking.
TVNZ representatives were at Ara Institute of Canterbury this week to interview prospective NZBS interns for 2026 but took time to present their annual scholarships, including one in honour of Ross Stevens, who died in 1997.
A respected TVNZ journalist, Stevens was known for his ability to connect deeply with people and bring their stories to life.
This year’s $2000 Ross Stevens Scholarship for the most promising visual journalist was awarded to second-year journalism student Madaleine Mansfield.
Laura Barnsley, TVNZ’s Newsgathering Editor, said Mansfield’s portfolio stood out for its human-centric storytelling and thoughtful research. “The stories were a real delight - well told, well crafted, and anchored in the human experience,” she said.

_{Madaleine Mansfield won the Ross Stevens Most promising Visual Journalist award}

Mansfield said she was thrilled to receive the award. “I’m really happy - our class is amazing. I was watching all the show reels and it would have been really hard to choose. I’m just grateful and excited for where I head next.”
TVNZ also recognised excellence in documentary filmmaking, a $1000 award they’ve supported since 2018.
The honour went to screen production students Caleb Ryan and Rachel Woods for their film That’s Andrew Lyons, a reflective piece about old friends reconnecting and the creative spirit that endures with age.
Krsna Harilela, Head of Story Development and Operations at TVNZ, described the documentary as a heartfelt and cleverly told surprise. “It was a lovely story with a strong arc, carried by two central characters and elevated by thoughtful visuals and music choices. It left a lasting impression,” she said.
Woods said the challenge was in creating something truly original. “We wanted to do something different - and figuring out how to bring that vision to life was a journey.” Ryan added that the recognition was deeply validating. “We put countless hours into this project. To see that work acknowledged means a lot.”
Harilela praised the overall standard of work coming out of NZBS, noting the strength of both the screen and journalism portfolios. “You’re all on the right path. Every story had value, and you should be proud of what you’ve created. It was very tough for Laura and me to choose.”