Finalists Announced For 2007 National Maori Sports

PUBLICITY RELEASE
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17 2007

Finalists Announced For 2007 National Maori Sports Awards

Maori sporting legends Buck Shelford, Waimarama Taumaunu, Wynton Rufer and Stacey Jones will receive special awards at the 2007 NATIONAL MAORI SPORTS AWARDS screening on Maori Television on Saturday November 24 from 9.30 PM to 11.30 PM.

Shelford, Taumaunu and Rufer will be inducted into the Maori Sports Hall of Fame while Jones will be presented with a Trustees Award by Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust which is hosting the prestigious black tie ceremony at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua. Sports scholarships from AUT, SFRITO, Manukau MIT and Waiariki Institute will also be presented on the night.

Last year, three-time World Cup winning captain of the New Zealand women's rugby team, Farah Palmer, beat a world-class field of finalists to take the top prize. Palmer took out the title of senior Maori sportswoman before accepting the supreme award - the Albie Pryor Memorial Maori Sportsperson of the Year.

The finalists and special award recipients are:

Maori Sports Administrator:
Joy Ripia (Ngati Tamanuhiri), Hamilton - Maori Hockey
Ani Haua (Nga Ruahine, Ngati Rauru, Maniapoto), Te Waipounamu - Maori Rugby
Martin Te Moni (Te Arawa, Kahungunu, Ngai Tuhoe), Hamilton - Maori Golf

Maori Sports Coach:
Peter Joseph (Te Arawa), Rotorua - Sevens Rugby
Donny Stevenson (Ngati Awa), Whangarei - Maori Rugby
Yvette McCausland - Durie (Ngati Awa), Fielding - Netball

Disabled Maori Sportsperson:
Matthew Lack (Whakatohea), Opotiki - Wheelchair Racing

Junior Maori Sportswoman:
Larissa Eruera (Ngapuhi), Auckland - Golf
Te Rina Keenan (Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou), Auckland - Athletics
Susie Bates (Ngai Tahu), Dunedin - Cricket / Basketball
Paparangi Hipango (Whanganui), Wanganui - Rowing / Netball

Junior Maori Sportsman:
Jade Uru (Ngai Tahu), Invercargill - Rowing
Zac Guildford (Ngati Kahungunu), Napier - Rugby
Shannon Mcllroy (Ngati Porou), Gisborne - Lawn Bowls
Kane Radford (Ngati Tuwharetoa), Rotorua - Swimming

Senior Maori Sportsman:
Luke Thompson (Ngapuhi), Manukau City - Tae Kwon Do
Carl Hayman (Ngati Tuwharetoa), Dunedin - Rugby
Storm Uru (Ngai Tahu), Cambridge - Rowing

Senior Maori Sportswoman:
Ramona Belmont (Ngati Kahungunu), Auckland - Cue Sports
Jodi Te Huna (Ngati Rauru), Auckland - Netball
Lizzy Igason (Ngapuhi), North Harbour - Hockey

Te Whare Matapuna o Te Ao Maori - Maori Sports Hall of Fame:
Wayne (Buck) Shelford (Ngapuhi), North Harbour
Waimarama Taumaunu (Ngati Porou), Wellington
Wynton Rufer (Ngati Porou), Auckland

Maori World Champions:
Jason Wynyard (Ngapuhi), Waitakere - Woodchopping
Karmyn Wynyard (Tainui), Waitakere - Jack & Jill Saw
Dion Lane (Tainui), Waitakere - Woodchopping
Ramona Belmont (Ngati Kahungunu), Auckland - Cue Sports
Luke Thompson (Ngapuhi), Manukau City - Tae Kwon Do
Storm Uru (Ngai Tahu), Cambridge - Rowing
Trustees Award:
Stacey Jones (Ngapuhi), Auckland - Rugby League

The home of Maori sport, Maori Television will screen a two-hour special, 2007 NATIONAL MAORI SPORTS AWARDS, on Saturday November 24 from 9.30 PM to 11.30 PM.

Ends

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