AUCKLAND, Today: NZME’s legal team has picked up national recognition, named Small In-House Team of the Year at the 2026 ILANZ Awards in Wellington.
The In-House Legal Association NZ Awards celebrate excellence across New Zealand’s in-house legal community, with this year’s event held on Friday 8 May.
The award recognises NZME’s four-person legal team, Genevieve O’Halloran, Paul Gillick, Isabella (Bella) Ieremia and Lucy Fea.
Adding to the night, Ieremia also received Highly Commended recognition in the New In-House Lawyer of the Year category.
For a small team, the workload is anything but tiny. Supporting a company with 1,100 employees nationwide, the team advises across NZME’s complex, multi-platform operation.
That includes media law, commercial transactions, intellectual property, employment, regulatory compliance and NZX/ASX obligations.
“They’re a talented group of professionals who play a critical role at NZME. This recognition reflects not just their legal expertise, but their sound judgement, genuine commitment and real impact for NZME and across the wider media industry.” – Michael Boggs, Chief Executive, NZME
The team also manages external legal challenges, including defamation, privacy and court-reporting restrictions, which is exactly as relaxing as it sounds.
Michael Boggs, Chief Executive, NZME, says the award is deserved recognition for a team that consistently punches above its weight.
“They’re a talented group of professionals who play a critical role at NZME. This recognition reflects not just their legal expertise, but their sound judgement, genuine commitment and real impact for NZME and across the wider media industry.”
The award follows a standout year of legal achievement, including the team’s leadership in a landmark judicial review.
That work helped successfully challenge suppression orders to enable a high-profile NZ Herald investigation, alongside corporate governance matters and significant commercial agreements.
“A key part of being a successful in-house legal team is being an effective, pragmatic business partner, so their support was really encouraging. We are so privileged to work on a fascinating mix of legal issues, from media law to corporate governance, and everything in between.” – Genevieve O’Halloran, General Counsel and Company Secretary, NZME
Genevieve O’Halloran, General Counsel and Company Secretary, NZME, says the recognition means a lot to the team. “2025 was a huge year for our legal team and our business. Being recognised as the best in our field is a massive accolade, but, more than anything, we were particularly touched by the very kind references from our colleagues and external advisors.
“A key part of being a successful in-house legal team is being an effective, pragmatic business partner, so their support was really encouraging. We are so privileged to work on a fascinating mix of legal issues, from media law to corporate governance, and everything in between.”
O’Halloran says the team was also thrilled to see Bella Ieremia recognised. “Bella’s highly commended recognition is an acknowledgement of the impact she’s already making in her career.
“Being a newsroom lawyer for a 24/7 operation like NZME is no mean feat and she juggles this busy, strategically crucial role with grace, humour and a razor-sharp intellect. She exemplifies the quality legal thinking and professional dedication that defines our team, and we’re proud to see her talent recognised on a national stage.”
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