Finalists for 2006 National Maori Sports Awards

Publicity Release
Monday October 30 2006

Finalists Announced for 2006 National Maori Sports Awards

League captain Ruben Wiki and women’s rugby champion Farah Palmer lead a top-class field of finalists for the 2006 NATIONAL MAORI SPORTS AWARDS.

The prestigious awards ceremony will be televised on the same night for the first time in its history – thanks to the home of Maori sport, Maori Television – on Saturday November 18 from 9.00 PM to 11.00 PM and replayed on Sunday November 19 from 2.00 PM to 4.00 PM.

The national awards organiser, Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust, is hosting the 2006 event at the Telstra Clear Pacific Events Centre in south Auckland on Saturday November 18.

The trust will present a range of awards including administrator, coach, umpire/referee, team, disabled sportsperson, and junior and senior sportsman and sportswoman as well as 13 world champions.

Last year, golfer Michael Campbell took out the title of senior Maori sportsman before receiving a World Champion Award and then the supreme award – the Albie Pryor Memorial Maori Sportsperson of the Year.

The 2006 finalists are:

Maori Sports Umpire/Referee:
Carl Cowley (Ngati Kahungunu, Ngati Apakura), Whakatane – Kickboxing, Boxing, Martial Arts

Maori Sports Administrator:
Donna Tamaariki (Ngati Whatua, Tainui), Onehunga, Auckland – Waka Ama
Alma Andrews (Waikato), Wellington – Rugby
Maggie Greening (Ngati Porou), Wellington – Waka Ama

Disabled Maori Sportsperson:
Peter Martin (Te Arawa), Hamilton – Wheelchair Athletics

Maori Sports Coach:
Dale Atkins (Ngai Tahu), New Plymouth – Rugby
James Kupa (Ngati Kahungunu), Auckland – Golf
Kiwi Takao (Ngai Tuhoe), Gisborne – Waka Ama

Maori Sports Team:
Manawaru, Gisborne – Waka Ama
NZ Maori All Black Rugby Team

Community Initiative:
Ngati Porou Inter-Marae Sports – Sports and Cultural

Junior Maori Sportsman:
Sam Rapira (Tainui), Hamilton – Rugby League
Shannon Mcllroy (Ngati Porou), Gisborne – Lawn Bowls
Jordan Vandermade (Ngai Tuhoe), Auckland – Athletics

Junior Maori Sportswoman:
Larissa Eruera (Ngapuhi), Auckland – Golf
Nicky Lee Crawford (Ngati Ruanui, Ngati Apa), Cambridge – Rowing
Irini Mason (Ngati Awa), Queensland, Australia – Board Surfing

Senior Maori Sportsman:
Ruben Wiki (Ngapuhi), Auckland – Rugby League
Carl Hayman (Ngati Tuwharetoa), Dunedin – Rugby
Storm Uru (Ngai Tahu), Cambridge – Rowing

Senior Maori Sportswoman:
Temepara George (Ngapuhi), Manukau City – Netball
Leanne Baker (Tainui), Te Awamutu – Tennis
Farah Palmer (Ngati Raukawa), Palmerston North – Rugby

Maori World Champions:
Jason Wynyard (Ngapuhi), Waitakere – Woodchopping
Mihi Wells (Ngapuhi), Manukau City – Body Surfing
Shelley Kitchen (Ngapuhi), Northland – Squash
Tamsyn Leevey (Ngati Tuwharetoa), Wellington – Squash
Manawaru Kahurangi, Gisborne – Waka Ama
Manawaru, Gisborne – Waka Ama
Wooley Kumaras, Gisborne – Waka Ama
Hinerupe, Gisborne – Waka Ama
Rangimaria Brightwater-Wharf (Ngati Kahungunu), Wellington – Powerlifting
Storm Uru (Ngai Tahu), Cambridge – Rowing
Nyree King (Ngapuhi), Northland – Waka Ama
Rose King (Ngapuhi), Northland – Waka Ama
Peter Martin (Te Arawa), Hamilton – Paralympic Field Athletics

The home of Maori sport, Maori Television will screen a two-hour special, 2006 NATIONAL MAORI SPORTS AWARDS, on Saturday November 18 from 9.00 PM to 11.00 PM and replayed on Sunday November 19 from 2.00 PM to 4.00 PM.

ENDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR 2006 NATIONAL MAORI SPORTS AWARDS

Year 2006
Censor Not rated
Duration 120-minute special broadcast
Language Maori and English language

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