Bay of Plenty Times journalist Sandra Conchie picked up a major prize at last night's Canon Media Awards in Auckland.
Conchie was named Reporter of the Year in the Regional Community Newspapers category.
Her entry included articles on an illegal fisheries sting, a story about a 14-year-old Tauranga boy being knocked unconscious after crashing at high speed in front of a car which had been towing him, and a series of stories on legal highs following an armed robbery by a man addicted to synthetic cannabis.
She said she was stunned and thrilled to receive the award and thanked her colleagues for giving her the opportunity to do her best work each day.
Two other Bay of Plenty Times journalists were finalists.