"In those days it was very much about the numbers, and very much for those who were already in the know," he says. "It was almost like writing for a club of people who were interested in the sharemarket, and not much beyond that."
These days the aim is to broaden the idea of business news, and to recognise that, important as it is, the sharemarket isn't the only place where business happens.
That's reflected in the issues of the magazine which were entered for the Canon awards. They included stories on topics as diverse as an interview with market regulator Sean Hughes, a group of entrepreneurs hunting for an angel investor, a critical look at the speed - or otherwise - of the Government's ultra-fast broadband scheme, and an interview with outspoken Retirement Commissioner Diana Crossan.
Launched in 2006, The Business has played a role in widening the understanding of business.
"There are still people who can't see why they should care about business," says Fryer. "But then, I've never understood why anyone gets excited about sport, so we all have our blind spots."
A week of winners
Monday
Newspaper of the Year/best newspaper design
Tuesday
Best reporter, David Fisher, and best news site, nzherald.co.nz
Wednesday
Best columnist, John Armstrong
Yesterday
Best photo essay, Richie Robinson
Today
Best inserted magazine, The Business
