DEGANZ Members Sweep at NZSA Awards

The New Zealand Screen Awards (NZSAs) took place in late November last month, with a multitude of awards going to DEGANZ members and their work.

DEGANZ was a proud sponsor of two awards this year: the DEGANZ Best Director and Best Editor for Drama Feature. DEGANZ board member Martin Brinkler ACE and Chris Plummer won the DEGANZ Best Editor Award for Joika. The late Lee Tamahori won the DEGANZ Best Director award for The Convert, which was accepted by producers Robin Scholes and Te Kohe Tuhaka on his behalf.

The Gone Season 2, directed by Peter Burger, won the most awards of the night, taking home nine accolades in total. The Convert, edited by member Luke Haigh, also swept up an impressive five awards across the evening.

Ka Whawhai Tonu, directed by Mike Jonothan and edited by fellow members Te Rurehe Paki and Martin Brinkler ACE won the NZ Film Commission Best Feature Film award. Meanwhile, Katie Wolfe was awarded Best Director: Documentary Feature for The Hake Party Incident (her victory walk pictured above).

Multiple members’ mahi in factual series were recognised as well. Motuhaketanga, edited by Cushla Dillon, won Best Documentary Series. The Restaurant that Makes Mistakes, co-edited by Steven Chow, took home Best Reality Series. Grit & Glory, directed by Dan Salmon, edited by Emma Patterson, and produced by Peter Book Bell, won Best Sports Programme.

Check the full list of DEGANZ winners down below:

Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand Best Director: Drama Feature

Lee Tamahori

The Convert

Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand Best Editor: Drama Feature

Martin Brinkler ACE and Chris Plummer

Joika

Best Director: Documentary Feature

Katie Wolfe

The Haka Party Incident

Screen Auckland Best Director: Drama Series

Peter Meteherangi Tikao Burger

The Gone Season 2

NZ On Air Best Drama Series

The Gone Season 2

Directors include Peter Meteherangi Tikao Burger

New Zealand Film Commission Best Feature Film

Ka Whawhai Tonu

Directed by Mike Jonathan

Edited by Te Rurehe Paki and Martin Brinkler ACE

NZ On Air Best Documentary – Series

Motuhaketanga

Editors include Cusha Dillon

Best Reality Series

The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes

Editors include Steven Chow

Best Sports Programme

Grit & Glory

Directed by Dan Salmon

Edited by Emma Patterson

Produced by Peter Brook Bell

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners!

Last updated on 4 December 2025