Sports journalist Brayden Lindsay became the centre of attention after colleagues chose him as the ‘Beacon Bachelor’ in a recreation of the TV series.

The project – which ran across double-spreads for nine weeks – was runner-up for best idea/innovation in this year’s New Zealand Community Newspapers Association awards.

With ‘bachelorettes’ sourced from among Whakatane Beacon readers, the project followed a familiar format, with editorial following progress of the ‘dates’ and supported by advertisers at what would otherwise be a quiet time of the year. Local activities featured showcased the immediate region, including kayaking on the Ohiwa Harbour (pictured).

The finale was livestreamed via the paper’s Facebook site, and the light-hearted editorial approach involving local people is thought to have gained younger readers for the weekly tabloid during its nine-week progress.

The category was won by the Devonport Flagstaff for its ‘Jabbed Campaign’ – cutting across the various and often vocal proponents and opponents of vaccinations to provide a practical tool for shoppers to know that staff in shops displaying the Devonport Flagstaff initiated signage were 100 per cent vaccinated.

The project was timed to encourage locals to return and support local retailers, many locals who may have been reluctant to return to normal shopping habits. Judges said its bold stance stood out, and the campaign could have been rolled out through all CNA newspapers.

Other winners were:

Best feature/supplement: The Beacon for The Sutherland Legacy 1929-2020; runner-up: King Country News for White Ribbon Day.

Best community involvement: The Valley Profile for Road Safety Campaign; runner up: The Devonport Flagstaff – Protecting Heritage Buildings.

Best  graphic designer: Clare McGillivray, Times Media; runner-up: Kat Wash, The Beacon.

Best lifestyle feature writer: Erin Johnson, Gulf News and Waiheke Weekender; runner-up: Angela Kemp, Times Media.

Best sales professional: Nikki Sanders, The Valley Profile; runner-up: Kylee Evan, Lakes Weekly Bulletin.

Best headline: James Belfield, Gulf News; runner-up: Shawn McAvinue, Southern Rural Life.

Best junior sports journalist: No entries.

Best senior sports journalist: Jon Rawlinson, Times Media; runner up: Jonty Dine, Top South Media.

Best junior news journalist: Hazel Osborne, The Beacon; runner-up: Erin Johnson, Gulf News.

Best senior news journalist: Vonny Fowler, King Country News; runner-up: Rob Drent, Devonport Flagstaff; special mention: Shawn McAvinue, Southern Rural Life.

Best photographer: John Borren, Sun Media; runner-up: Troy Baker, The Beacon.

Best front page – magazine: Rural Living, Times Media; runner-up: South, Times Media.

Best front page – newspaper: Weekend Sun; runner up: King Country News.

Best magazine: Nelson Magazine; runner-up: Metropol.