Seeby Woodhouse’s Retweet Causes Voyager to Withdraw Sponsorship of New Zealand Media Awards
Just weeks before the New Zealand Media Awards on May 22, 2026, Seeby Woodhouse’s retweet of an inappropriate post sparked significant controversy. This action led to Voyager, the company he founded and leads as CEO, abruptly terminating their sponsorship of the prestigious event.
The incident unfolded on May 8 when Woodhouse shared a post on social media without fully reading its content. He later acknowledged, “That was a mistake, and I take responsibility for it.” His retweet did not align with the values upheld by the News Publishers Association (NPA), which oversees the awards.
On May 10, the NPA formally notified Voyager about the termination of their sponsorship. The association stated, “While Mr. Woodhouse’s profile states that re-posting does not necessarily signify his agreement with the content, NPA considers the re-post irreconcilable with its values and standards.” This decision came just two weeks before the awards ceremony.
In a public apology, Woodhouse emphasized that what he shared did not reflect Voyager’s position as an organization. He expressed regret over his actions and stated, “Accountability is simple: I shared it, it was wrong, and I’m sorry.” His strong views often spark debate—yet this incident has drawn critical attention.
The awards will proceed without a naming rights sponsor this year. This situation raises questions about how such incidents might influence future sponsorships and partnerships within New Zealand journalism. The community looks forward to seeing how these events unfold in light of Woodhouse’s prior success in launching Voyager after selling Orcon for $25 million.
