The Ashburton Guardian’s proud team are still buzzing after their newspaper was again named the best in New Zealand.

The Guardian won the coveted Frank Veale Memorial best newspaper title for what is believed to be a record three straight years at the New Zealand Community Newspapers’ Awards in Christchurch.

It was recognition that thrilled managing editor Daryl Holden, who said the win – especially for a third straight year – was confirmation of their national reputation, being innovators and a staunch community leader.

“I’ve said it many, many times, and I will keep saying it, we’re not just a newspaper of record,’’ Holden said.

“We also take our role as a community leader very seriously. We’ll stand up for our community, recognise our stars and fine achievements, and question decisions when required. And if we didn’t do that, then who would? No one, that’s who.’’

The judges said the Guardian had a “deep community commitment and connection”.

“Whether it was holding power to account, celebrating local heroes or those playing their part on the region’s sports fields, it was obvious this publication had people at its heart.”

They said the Guardian’s front pages were impactful and its story content “contained a tremendous depth”, with special mention made of a key campaign:

“Particular congratulations to the Guardian for its More People Will Die campaign, highlighting Oranga Tamariki’s controversial decision to stop funding vital support workers. Community journalism at its finest,’’ the judges said.

Personally, it was also a good night for Holden, who picked up two individual awards and was runner-up in another.

He was named the coveted best senior news journalist and won the Brian Rogers Memorial Award for best headline writer, while he was also runner-up in the best lifestyle feature writer category.

Judges were full of praise of Holden’s work, with one applauding him for his witty headlines, while another called the Guardian editor one of the media industry’s “most consistent’’ senior journalists, who had an “obvious rapport and empathy with his subjects’’.

“Again and again, he wins the trust of contacts to tell yarns of public importance,’’ a judge said.