Top award for Ahipara journo

An Ahipara woman named New Zealand's top radio journalist says she could relate to some of the terrible stories she had to cover in the Far North last year because of her own family's experiences.

Amanda Snow was named Individual Radio Journalist of the Year at the New Zealand Radio Awards held in Auckland last Thursday, beating two other finalists from highly-regarded Radio New Zealand.

The 41-year-old, who works as a casual for Radio Live and contributes to the Herald on Sunday, won on the strength of her Far North stories, ranging from the hunger strike by invalid beneficiary Sam Kuha to the revelations of sex abuse by former teacher James Parker.

Ms Snow only completed Auckland University of Technology's graduate journalism course six years ago, and entered the radio awards for the first time this year.

Raised in the Ahipara Gumfields, Ms Snow raised her own daughters - Sophie, now 16, and Jessica, 14 - in Ahipara until moving to Auckland to study journalism. Before that she did some freelance writing from home, including for the Northland Age.

The Sam Kuha story appealed to her because she enjoyed investigative work and human stories, which the mainstream media was not always able to cover.

"I like being with real people. In some stories the easy hits are talking to politicians, the people making the decisions - but I like talking to the people who are impacted by those decisions, and the people who are taking a stand.

"I was proud of the Sam Kuha story because he actually effected change. He made a difference with what he had, which is inspiring."

The James Parker story affected her for another reason. When she was growing up a close family member was abducted and abused by a paedophile, who was given a lengthy jail term for his crimes.

"Covering the Parker case often brought it home. I have huge empathy for the families, I know what they are going through. I also know there is hope, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is possible for survivors and their families to heal, but support is needed for a long, long time."

With so many tragic stories it had been difficult covering Kaitaia in the past year, she said.

"The town has been portrayed in quite a negative light, but I adore Kaitaia. It's my home, it's where my heart is. I love the people and I think it's got so much promise."

Ms Snow is the daughter of CBEC co-founder Warren Snow.