Holmes now heard more than he is seen

Paul Holmes showed last night he still has what it takes to rule the airwaves.

Last night at the New Zealand Radio Awards, Holmes - whose breakfast show still easily remains the most popular in the country - won best current affairs host, heading a field that included Newstalk's Leighton Smith.

The latest success is in stark contrast to Holmes' fortunes on television.

His weekly chat show Holmes, on Prime, has failed to excite viewers, drawing only 2.6 per cent on its debut.

Last night, The Rock was the big overall winner, taking the metropolitan station of the year and metropolitan music breakfast hosts awards.

It is the second year the breakfast team of Nick Trott, Roger Farrelly, Leah Panapa and Simon Doull have received the award.

The Rock nudged out Classic Hits. last year's winner, and Newstalk ZB for the overall award.

State broadcaster Radio New Zealand won the most gongs - seven - with Grant Ogilvie picking up radio journalist of the year.

Newstalk ZB's Bernadine Oliver-Kerby won best newsreader. The award for best sports presenter was a tie between Tony Veitch of Radio Sport and Hamish McKay and Brendon McNeice of Radio Live.

The best ethnic and access programme was won by Quiet Minds Mental Health Radio, on Plains FM, ahead of Nelson's Fresh FM and the Lesbian Radio Collective on Plains. Students at the New Zealand Broadcasting School's Vinyl FM won the best radio station promotion ahead of More FM.

More FM Nelson was the best regional station and 1XX of Bay of Plenty was the top provincial station.