The online news environment in New Zealand is in terrific shape, according to the judges of the Canon Media Awards.
The Herald Online was one of the big winners in the online category at this year's media awards, winning Best News Website for nzherald.co.nz, Best Innovation in New Technologies and Best Breaking News Coverage.
Tony Gillies, Australian Associated Press editor-in-chief, rated the Herald site best overall for news for "its multiple layers to stories and excellent presentation and engagement".
The site was also honoured for its breaking news coverage of the tornado in West Auckland last December.
Judge Jim Tucker, the head of journalism at Whitireia Journalism School, said the site displayed "highly effective multimedia coverage" of the breaking news event. He noted the use of "striking video", numerous photos and "effective use of Twitter, Facebook, Storify and Instagram".
