Currently known as the Canon Media Awards, the New Zealand Press Awards were established forty years ago to recognise excellence in New Zealand journalism. They were Initially developed by two Auckland Star news photographers, Fred Freeman and Gary Fearnley, who approached the Australian international airline, Qantas, for sponsorship for an annual news photography award.

The result was the creation of the Qantas Press Awards which started with news photography but within two years expanded to include cartooning and three years later reporting. The Qantas Awards were gradually developed to include all print journalism disciplines. Examples of first, second and commended work in the cartooning category are featured below.

First Place Trace Hodgson

Second Place Chicane (Mark Winter)

Highly Commended Tom Scott