Māori of the Year 2011

Media release
Embargoed until 4pm January 25th 2011

Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka
Māori of the Year 2011

Piri Weepu’s in the running for yet another national Māori title. After collecting Māori Rugby Player of the Year and Māori Sports Person of the Year for 2011, he’s now also in contention for Marae Investigates’ Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka (Māori of the Year 2011).

Piri’s been named along with 27 other finalists, covering 9 categories, as people who have increased the mana of Māori in 2011. Also in contention are singers Tiki Taane and Ria Hall, anti-child abuse campaigner Cherie Sweeney and the organisers of the Iron Māori Endurance Event.

Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka will air on Sunday 5th of February in a one-hour live special on TV ONE celebrating Māori excellence.

Paora Maxwell, General Manager of Māori & Pacific Programmes at TVNZ, says:

“We at TVNZ are proud to bring the inaugural “Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka" awards to all New Zealanders, to celebrate amazing people achieving great things in their communities.”

Public nominations were called for in December and the 27 finalists had to be whittled down from more than 100 nominations. The Category winners will be announced live on Marae Investigates on Sunday 5th February and the Supreme Winner will be presented with a specially commissioned pounamu trophy carved by master carver Hepi Maxwell of Rotorua.

The Finalists are:-

ARTS Michael Parekowhai
Ria Hall
Tiki Taane

BUSINESS Tainui Group Holdings Ltd
Tuaropaki Trust
Mitai Māori Village
COMMUNITY SERVICE Cherie Sweeney
Te Whānau o Ngāti Rongomai
Henare O’Keefe

HEALTH Iron Māori
Dr Lance O’Sullivan
Dr Suzanne Pitama

EDUCATION King’s College
Tawhirimatea & Kaa Williams
Robyn Bargh (Huia Publishers)

REO/TIKANGA Charlie Te Pana
Kingi Biddle
Huirangi Waikerepuru

SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY/ INNOVATION

Dr Mike Walker
Dr Jamie Ataria
Mana Vautier

SPORT Piri Weepu
Sam Sutton
Lisa Carrington

TREATY ISSUES Wai 262 claimants (Posthumous)
Mark Solomon
Professor Whatarangi Winiata

ENDS

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