The Valley Profile has come out on top at this year’s NZ Community Newspaper Association Awards, sweeping up the main prize: the Frank Veale Memorial Award for Best Community Newspaper.
The Profile also scooped the Best Community Involvement award, and senior reporter Alice Parminter was named runner-up in the Best Senior News Journalist category.
The ceremony for the national awards was held at Auckland’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on May 21.
The annual event is a celebration of excellence in the independent community newspaper industry, and the various award categories are keenly contested each year.
This year, the judges said competition for the Best Community Newspaper award was particularly fierce, with a field of high-quality entries. However, The Valley Profile stood out for its mix of hard-hitting news, heart-warming yarns, community-focused advertorials, and impressive circulation growth since its inception in 2020.
“This year is one for the little battler; a small paper that, against the odds, shone brightly in the company of bigger, better-resourced, and high-performing opposition,” the judges said.
“It’s amazing what’s achieved in community journalism today, despite financially challenging times, and, often, with few staff.”
The paper was acknowledged for senior reporter Alice Parminter’s investigation into methamphetamine use in Thames in the latter half of 2025, winning the award for Best Community Involvement.
Judges said the difficult subject was one many would have shied away from, as such stories risked negative publicity for the town.
“The topic was well covered and handled with a sensitivity that only comes from experience,” they said.
Alice was also recognised. She was named runner-up for Best Senior News Journalist, behind winner Rob Drent from The Devonport Flagstaff and The Rangitoto Observer.
The judges said Alice’s portfolio highlighted her skill as a journalist and her close connection to her community.
“[Her] pieces feature real sensitivity for tricky subjects as well as highlighting the big national issues affecting her area.”
Alice said she was grateful for the acknowledgement The Profile received at the event.
“I love my community, and I feel so privileged to be trusted with its stories each week. Being recognised for our hard work is just the icing on the cake.”
The Profile’s owner and editor Teresa Maxwell said she was proud of her team.
“Taking home the top award was a huge surprise considering the large newsrooms we were up against,” she said.
“However, I’m very pleased our hard-working and extremely talented team have been recognised at such a high level for their efforts in representing our communities each week.”
The Profile would like to thank our loyal advertisers and the community for their ongoing support. We rely on advertising to fund our award-winning journalism. To place a classified ad, advertorial or display advertisement, please contact Nikki: Ph 022 130 3885 or nikki@valleyprofile.co.nz.
