New Zealand Podcast Awards

New Zealand Podcast Awards is an annual awards program that recognises and celebrates podcast creators across Aotearoa New Zealand. Now in its sixth year, it serves independent podcasters, educational institutions, charities, and corporate podcast producers who wish to submit their work for industry recognition.

Entrants submit an audio reel of up to 15 minutes, drawn from a limited number of clips taken from episodes published within a defined submission window, along with supporting background information. Entries are judged across genre-based Show categories such as Best Comedy, Best Fiction, Best Documentary, and Best True Crime, People awards including Rising Star, and Special Awards such as Best Independent Podcast, Best New Podcast, and the Creativity Award. Winners of each Show category go on to compete for the overall Podcast of the Year title, while members of the public vote to decide the Listeners' Choice award.

The organisation charges entry fees that vary depending on whether a podcast is independent, educational, charitable, or corporate in nature, with reduced rates for the former group. It has attracted hundreds of submissions and reached millions of listeners since its founding, and works with sponsors, category partners, and judges to run the program. Winners and results are publicised through press releases covering each year's ceremony.