Stars' time to shine at AFTA Awards

Hilary Barry wins best news and current affairs presenter. Photo / Michael Craig

The movers and shakers of New Zealand screens last night celebrated their year's work at the Aotearoa Film and Television Awards.

Love Story cleaned up with three gongs and Michelle Ang won best actress for her role in My Wedding And Other Secrets.

Madeleine Sami won best television actress for her satirical show Super City and joked on stage: "To think just months ago I was hanging out with my friends smoking weed and plotting criminal activity."

Shortland St's Rena Owen won best supporting actress for what she called "the juiciest role I've ever played" and Outrageous Fortune writer James Griffin won best script.

"It was such an intense, wonderful six years of fun and frivolity and to be recognised at the end of it feels great," Griffin said back-stage.

TV One's This is Not My Life was nominated for seven awards and won best production design and best image and sound.

Masterchef took out top prize in the reality category.

TV One also won best news but it was Maori Television's Native Affairs that got the gong for best current affairs series - beating 60 Minutes and Sunday.

TV3's Hillary Barry, described by host Oliver Driver as "the only one who can actually read", who got best presenter. Barry said the win was tinged with sadness, as her entry had been centred around her coverage of February's earthquake.

"It's hard to accept an award for work that was done that day," she said.

TV3's Campbell Live also won investigation of the year for its exposure of a tsunami aid money scam.

"We're delighted. We're really proud," John Campell said.

Samantha Hayes Australian corespondent for TV3 looked stunning in a black gown by local label Ruby and a 130-year-old 15 carat diamond necklace, loaned to her by jeweller Graeme Thompson.

"It's going straight back in the safe after this," she said.