The 25th Te Tohu Tākaro o Aotearoa Māori Sports Awards for 2015 will be held at Tūrangawaewae Marae, Ngāruawāhia.
Te Kāea can reveal there will be a new award presented this year, titled "Manukura", for the Best Māori Male Sportsperson over the last 25 years, and the "Māreikura" award for the Best Māori Female Sportsperson over the last 25 years.
CEO of Te Tohu Tākaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust, Dick Garratt says, “This year has been the hardest yet to select the finalists for each category.”
There is a plethora of Māori names, all with respective success, however there is a standout of All Blacks, fresh from their Rugby World Cup victory, who have been nominated for various awards on the night.
The recipients and finalists for 2015 are:
INDIVIDUAL MĀORI WORLD CHAMPIONS:
Lisa Carrington (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) - Canoe Racing
Jason Wynyard (Ngāti Maniapoto) - Woodchopping
MĀORI IN WORLD CHAMPION TEAMS:
NZ U/18 Basketball - World 3X3 Basketball Champions
1. Tai Wynyard (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāpuhi, Tainui)
2. Nikau McCullough (Ngāpuhi)
World UCI Para-Cycling Road & Track Champion
1. Emma Foy (Ngati Kahu ki Whangaroa)
NZ Junior All Blacks - U20 World Rugby Champions
1. Otere BLACK (Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
2. Akira IOANE (Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngapuhi)
3. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Te Ati Awa)
4. Sean WAINUI (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou)
NZ All Blacks Sevens - World Sevens Champions
1. Sarah GOSS (Ngāti Kahungunu)
2. Carla HOHEPA (Tainui, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
3. Tyla NATHAN-WONG (Ngāpuhi)
4. Jordon WEBBER (Ngāti Ranginui)
5. Portia WOODMAN (Ngāpuhi)
6. Honey Hireme (Ngāti Raukawa)
7. Kayla McAlister (Te Ati Awa)
8. Shiray Tane (Ngāti Maniapoto)
9. Kat Whata-Simpkins (Te Arawa)
10. Gayle Broughton (Ngā Ruahine, Ngāti Ruanui)
11. Morgan Morrow (Ngāpuhi)
12. Alexis Tapsell (Ngāti Pikiao)
13. Selica Winiata (Ngāti Raukawa)
All Blacks – World Rugby Champions
1. Liam Messam (Ngāi Tūhoe)
2. Aaron Smith (Ngāti Kahungunu)
3. Dane Coles (Ngāti Porou)
4. Nehe Milner-Skudder (Ngāti Porou, Tapuika)
5. TJ Perenara (Ngāti Rangitihi)
6. Codie Taylor (Muaupoko, Ngāti Raukawa)
7. Joe Moody (Ngāi Tahu)
8. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto)
KaiMatariki Aotearoa (tug-o-war) - World Indigenous Olympics Champions
1. Anna Maria Tripp (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa)
2. Sheridan Mereana Rose Ashby (Ngāpuhi)
3. Xzaviar Broughton (Ngapuhi, Ngati Kuri)
4. Jonnine Te Rakauramai Lai (Ngāti Tuwharetoa)
5. Tirakahurangi Wineera (Ngāti Tuwharetoa)
6. Ihipera Mahinarangi Maipi-Edwards (Waikato, Ng1ati Porou, Ngapuhi)
7. Hinemoana Pardoe-Crawford (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Nāapuhi)
8. Davina Thompson (Te Arawa, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Awa)
9. Te Hirini-Mei Natana (Ngāti Kurī)
10. Hera Waitai (Ngāti Kurī)
MĀUI TIKITIKI-Ā-TARANGA – Māori Sports Administrator of the Year:
Lana Aitken (Ngāi Te Rangi) – Te Whakapakari Tinana
Philip Parker (Ngāi Manawa) – CCNZ Football
Joy Ripia (Ngāi Tāmanuhiri) – NZM Football
Lawna Kani (Tainui) – AFC Football
John Te Pania (Ngāpuhi) – Table Tennis
TE TOIHUAREWA – Disabled Māori Sports Person of the Year:
Emma Foy (Ngāti Kahu) – Para-Cycling
Cameron Leslie (Ngāpuhi) – Para-Swimming
Holly Robinson (Ngāi Tahu) – Para-Athletics
Sholto Taylor (Ngāti Kahungunu) – Wheel Blacks
Maia Amai (Ngāi Tūhoe) – Wheel Blacks
TE ARATIATIA – Māori Sports Umpire/Referee of the Year:
Glen Jackson (Ngāi Tahu) - Rugby
Amber Church (Te Aitanga ā Māhaki) - Hockey
Henry Perenara (Ngāti Rangitihi) - Rugby League
Chris Temu (Ngāti Porou) - Tennis
Desrae Garratt (Ngāi Te Rangi) - Tennis
NGĀ IKA Ā WHIRO – Māori Sports Team of the Year:
KaiMatariki Aotearoa NZ World Indigenous Olympic Games Tug-o-War Champions
NZ Maori Mens Hockey Team Hockey NZ Affiliates Tournament Champions
TE MARU Ō TŪMATAUENGA – Māori Sports Coach of the Year:
Jamie Joseph (Rangitāne) - Rugby
Waimarama Taumaunu (Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu) - Netball
Shane Bond (Ngāi Tahu) - Cricket
Paul Henare (Ngāti Kahungunu) - Basketball
Rusty Matua (Te Arawa) - Rugby League
TE TAMAHINE-Ā-PAPATŪĀNUKU – Junior Māori Sportswoman of the Year:
Stacey Waaka (Ngāi Tūhoe) - Rugby Sevens
Maia Wilson (Te Ākitai Waiōhua) - Netball
Gayle Broughton (Ngāti Ruahine) - Rugby Sevens
Paige Satchell - Football
Ivana Rowland (Ngāi Te Rangi) - Netball
TE TAMA-Ā-RANGINUI – Junior Māori Sportsman of the Year:
Akira Ioane (Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāpuhi) - Rugby
Tai Wynyard (Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui) - Basketball
Otere Black (Ngāi Tuhoe, Te Whānau-a-Apanui) - Rugby
Rieko Ioane (Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāpuhi) - Rugby Sevens
Leo Mitai-Wells (Te Arawa, Whakatōhea) - Hockey
HINEAHUONE – Senior Māori Sportswoman of the Year:
Lisa Carrington (Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) - Canoe Racing
Portia Woodman (Ngāpuhi) - Rugby Sevens
Abbey Erceg (Ngāpuhi) - Football
Sarah Goss (Ngāti Kahungunu) - Rugby Sevens
Susie Bates (Ngāi Tahu) - Cricket
TE TAMA-Ā-TANENUIĀRANGI – Senior Māori Sportsman of the Year:
Nehe Milner-Skudder (Ngāti Porou, Tapuika) - Rugby
Jason Wynyard (Ngāti Maniapoto) - Woodchopping
Trent Boult (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Maru) - Cricket
Aaron Smith (Ngāti Kahungunu) - Rugby
Winston Reid (Tainui, Te Rarawa) - Football
RONGOMARAEROA
The Albie Pryor Memorial Māori Sportsperson of the Year Award
All the above recipients are in contention for this award
MANUKURA / MĀREIKURA
Best Male and Female Māori Athlete over the past 25 years
All recipients are in contention for this award
The 25th Māori Sports Awards ceremony will take place on Saturday November 28 at Tūrangawaewae Marae, Ngāruawāhia.
For more information about the Māori Sports Awards, go to their website: www.maorisportsawards.co.nz
Te Kāea sports reporter, Raniera Harrison will be covering the event, and speaks with Dick Garratt as preparations buildup for the 25th edition of the Māori Sports Awards.