Riding radio waves to success

Rotorua's Jordan Brannigan is New Zealand's best new radio show host.

Now based in Nelson, the 22-year-old Classic Hits breakfast show announcer won best overall new broadcaster, best new broadcaster air personality, and best provincial show at the New Zealand Radio Awards on Thursday .

The former John Paul College student said he was overwhelmed and stoked that someone from Rotorua and not Auckland had managed the win.

"It's such a cool thing to have. Radio is a tough business and you never know how well you are doing so it's great to be recognised for doing a good job," he said.

Jordan's mum Jo Brannigan, who lives in Rotorua, said she thought it was quite remarkable her son had won three awards including the supreme award for best new broadcaster after being in the industry for only two years.

"He has worked hard and has a real passion for it. He is prepared to put in the long hours and said to me, 'Mum, I love it so much, I would do it for free'."

She said mentoring by Rotorua speech and drama teacher Gabrielle Thurston and local radio presenters Paul Hickey and Mike Baird had given Jordan a strong background which had helped him do so well.