Today Rereātea reporters Wikitōria Day and Kimi Kaire-Melbourne bring you our Matariki Awards Special, ahead of the prestigious awards ceremony which will take place tonight at Tāmaki Paenga Hira - Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Launched last year, the annual event celebrates the achievement of Māori, honouring their commitment and success in the many fields they excel in.
The finalists for this year's awards are:
TE WHETŪ MAIANGI AWARD FOR YOUNG ACHIEVERS
Julian Dennison
Laura O'Connell Rapira
Shay Wright
TE URURANGI AWARD FOR EDUCATION
Dame Georgina Kingi
Professor Robert Hans George Jahnke
Associate Professor Joanne Baxter – University of Otago
TE WAIPUNA-Ā-RANGI AWARD FOR ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Taika Waititi
Tangiwai Margaret Ria
Graham Hoete
TE TUPU-Ā-RANGI AWARD FOR HEALTH AND SCIENCE
Dr Elana Taipapaki Curtis - Auckland University
Professor Michael Walker
TE WAITĀ AWARD FOR SPORT
Lisa Carrington
Tupuria King
Dane Stuart Coles
TE TUPU-Ā-NUKU AWARD FOR BUSINESS AND INNOVATION
Grant Straker (CEO) - Straker Translations
Mavis Mullins - Poutama Trust
Hohepa Tuahine and Kristin Ross - Pipi Ma
TE WAITĪ AWARD FOR TE REO AND TIKANGA
Professor Rawinia Higgins
Professor William Te Rangiua (Pou) Temara
Paraone Gloyne
HIWA I TE RANGI AWARD FOR COMMUNITY
Te Puea Memorial Marae - South Auckland
Ricky Houghton (CEO) - He Korowai Trust
Mike King (Founder) - Key to Life Charitable Trust
A new award will also be given tonight, Te Toi o Ngā Rangi o Lifetime Achievement, and then the overall Supreme Matariki award, Te Tohu Tiketike o Matariki will be given to one of tonight's finalists.
Make sure to tune into Māori Television at 8:30pm for the special live broadcast of the awards.