The organising committee for the Tairāwhiti Māori Sports Awards 2019 have announced that the event will be held on 21 September at Te Poho-o-Rāwiri Marae in Gisborne.
Previously known as the Tūranganui-a-Kiwa Māori Sports Awards, this annual event was first held in 1994 and was the first regional Māori sports awards event to be held in the country.
The Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the success of our Māori sporting community, to further support their talent and to bring out the best in our athletes. It also provides opportunities for athletes to be recognised by talent scouts, which can lead to further sporting opportunities possibly through a national link and/or beyond which would then lead to better coaching and development opportunities.
The Chair of the organising committee, Athena Emmerson-Kapa says, “Our goal is to ensure that Māori athletes from this region can have access to the same opportunities as top NZ athletes do. It’s an important opportunity for our community to recognise the amazing sporting talent that exists in the Tairāwhiti region.”
The organising Committee for the Awards includes representation from Te Rūnanga o Tūranganui a Kiwa, Tāmanuhiri Tūtū Poroporo Trust, Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust, Te Rūnanganui o Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti and community members.
“We have a good cross representation of local organisations and iwi involved and we all have a common goal which is to ensure Māori sport achievement is promoted and recognised in the Tairawhiti region” says Ms Emmerson-Kapa.
The committee are now looking for all expressions of interest from sponsors.
There are 12 award categories in this year’s awards.
Winners of the Awards will be eligible to be considered for nominations in the National Maori Sports Awards and the Bronwyn Kay Agency Sporting Excellence Awards being held in November. Nominations for the Awards are now open and must be received by 5pm 12 July 2019.
Click here to download the nomination form
