New Zealand Screen Awards Recognise DEGANZ Members
25 DEGANZ members’ mahi has been nominated for a 2025 New Zealand Screen Award (NZSA)! DEGANZ is proud to sponsor two awards this year: the DEGANZ Best Director and Best Editor for Drama Feature.
From over 700 entries across the 57 categories, the finalists highlight the vibrant storytelling, creativity, and technical excellence that continue to drive Aotearoa’s screen landscape. Nominees represent a wide spectrum of content spanning free-to-air networks, subscription television, digital platforms and streamers, and, as of this year, the local film industry.
NZSA committee member and CEO of South Pacific Pictures, Kelly Martin, commented,
The response to the awards has surpassed expectations – especially with the exciting inclusion of film, which has brought a wonderful new energy to this year’s awards. Each of our finalists stands as a testament to the talent and innovation that make our screen community so extraordinary.
The winners will be revealed at the NZSA ceremony on Friday, 21 November at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Here are the nominees for the DEGANZ-sponsored awards:
Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand Best Director: Drama Feature
Miki Magasiva
Tinā
Lee Tamahori
The Convert
James Ashcroft
The Rule of Jenny Pen
Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand Best Editor: Drama Feature
Gretchen Peterson
The Rule of Jenny Pen
Martin Brinkler ACE (DEGANZ) and Chris Plummer
Joika
Luke Haigh (DEGANZ)
The Convert
Check out the list of nominated DEGANZ members below:
Best Director: Documentary Feature
Katie Wolfe
The Haka Party Incident
Screen Auckland Best Director: Drama Series
Peter Meteherangi Tikao Burger
The Gone season 2
Best Editor: Documentary / Factual – Feature
Josh Yong
Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua Two Worlds
NZ On Air Best Drama Series
The Brokenwood Mysteries
Directors include Katie Wolfe, David de Lautour, and Geoffrey Cawthron
Dead Ahead
Edited by Ben Wildish
The Gone Season 2
Directors include Peter Burger
A Remarkable Place to Die
Directors include Caroline Bell Booth, Peter Burger, Josh Frizzell, and Charlie Haskell
New Zealand Film Commission Best Feature Film
Tinā
Edited by Luke Haigh
Ka Whawhai Tonu
Directed by Mike Jonathan
Edited by Te Rurehe Paki and Martin Brinkler ACE
New Zealand Film Commission Best Short Film
Lea Tupu’anga (Mother Tongue)
Directed by Vea Mafile’o
Best Comedy Programme
Vince
Directed by David de Lautour
Madam
Directors include Kate McGill
Edited by Martin Brinkler ACE
Happiness
Directed by Robyn Grace
Best Factual Series
Hyundai Country Calendar
Directors include Howard Taylor
NZ On Air Best Documentary – Series
Motuhaketanga
Editors include Cusha Dillon
New Zealand Film Commission Best Documentary – Feature
Stylebender
Edited by Peter Roberts
NZ On Air Best Children’s Programme
Secrets at Red Rocks
Directed by David Stubbs
Te Māngai Pāho Best Māori Programme
Dead Ahead
Edited by Ben Wildish
Te Māngai Pāho Best Rea Māori Programme
End of the Valley
Directors include Richard J Curtis
Best Sports Programme
Grit & Glory
Directed by Dan Salmon
Edited by Emma Patterson
Produced by Peter Brook Bell
Australian Writers’ Guild of Authorship Collecting Society Best Script: Series
Victoria Boult
N00b
Richard J Curtis
End of the Valley
Last updated on 23 October 2025
