Joint winners’ work ethic, editorial excellence recognised

Otago Daily Times subeditor Fiona Russell and sports reporter Kayla Hodge have been named joint winners of the 2025 Valpy Rosebowl Trophy.

ODT editor Paul McIntyre said Ms Russell, who is based in Invercargill, was an integral part of the regional team.

Ms Russell maintained her workload with good grace, humour and sound judgement.

"Her professionalism, work ethic, commitment and reliability cannot be faulted."

Mr McIntyre said Miss Hodge had been doing her "dream job" for the past three years, adding she had taken the ODT’s coverage of women’s sport to "another level".

The award, for editorial excellence, is presented annually on the anniversary of the November 15, 1861, publication of the first issue of the ODT, New Zealand’s oldest daily newspaper.

The award is named for Judge W.H. Valpy, one of the founders in 1851 of the weekly Otago Witness, which later amalgamated with the ODT.