Superstar to appear at Kahungunu awards

Thursday, 19 September 2013, 2:23 pm
Press Release: Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc

Media Release – 19 September 2013

‘Superstar to appear at Kahungunu awards’

The man with rugby's most recognised face on the planet, Jonah Lomu, will be the guest speaker at the Ngāti Kahungunu Sports Awards function in Hastings next month.

Lomu, 38, played the first of his 73 matches for the All Blacks in 1994 as a 19-year-old. Earlier in 1994 he was the star of the Hong Kong Sevens.

Arguably Lomu's most memorable feat on the international stage was a four-try haul in the 1995 World Cup semifinal when the All Blacks destroyed England 45-29 in Cape Town. After the match England captain Will Carling remarked: ``Jonah is a freak and the sooner he goes away the better.''

To a certain extent Carling got his wish as the first of many health problems for Lomu emerged in 1996. After missing most of the 1996 and `97 seasons with these issues and injuries Lomu again showed his class at the 1999 World Cup.

The Wesley College product's international career ended in 2003 when he decided to focus on managing his health issues.

Lomu represented three New Zealand provincial unions, Counties-Manukau, Wellington and North Harbour and three Super Rugby franchises, the Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes. His overseas clubs included Marseille and Cardiff Blues.

A 2011 International Rugby Board Hall of Fame inductee, Lomu, will use his visit to Hawke's Bay to promote My Story, an update to his 2004 biography.

Avid rugby fan and staunch supporter of the Tamatea club, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana, was thrilled to get the thumbs up from Lomu for the October 18 function to be staged in the Hastings Sports Centre.

``We're delighted Jonah has accepted our invitation. He's the world's first rugby superstar and even though he's been out of rugby for a decade, he's still in hot demand all over the world.

``We're the first iwi to host Jonah Lomu at our iwi awards and we're excited to give him an awesome Kahungunu experience,'' Tomoana said.

Guest artists for the night are the ``Dee-licious Dance Crew'' a Pacific Island version of Maoridom's  J Geeks.

``They will entertain us and have us in fits of laughter,'' Tomoana added.

In a change from previous awards organisers have decided to announce the category winners a month out from the function. However the winner of the premier award, the Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated Māori Sportsperson of the Year, won't be announced until the night.

All category winners become automatic nominees for the premier award.

Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is pleased to announce the Category winners of the 2013 Ngāti Kahungunu Sports Awards.

Te Kupenga Hauora Ahuriri - Junior Maori Sportsman of the Year
Trinity Spooner-Neera (Rugby)

Te Kupenga Hauora Ahuriri  Junior Maori Sportswoman of the Year
Courtney Gettins (Softball)

EIT Te Aho a Māui Māori Coach of the Year
Chubb Tangaroa (Softball)

Te Puni Kokiri Māori Administrator of the Year
Les Hokianga (Hikoi for Life)

Te Roopu Huihuinga Hauora Māori Official of the Year
Zane Johnson (Touch Referee)

Hawke's Bay District Health Board Senior Māori Sportswoman of the Year
Fiona Bourke (Rowing)

Te Puni Kokiri Senior Māori Sportsman of the Year
Joint winners
Thomas Makea Jnr (Softball)
Gillies Kaka (Rugby)

Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Active Kaumatua of the Year
Te Aroha Dimples Edwards (Triathlon/Swimming)

Te Roopu a Iwi Trust Senior Sports Team of the Year
Manuz & Jemimaz Premier Women’s Waka Team

Central Health Junior Sports Team of the Year
Hawke’s Bay U17 Softball Team

About the event
The Ngāti Kahungunu Sports Awards Event is held annually to help celebrate the mana and well being of Ngāti Kahungunu. The awards are in recognition of sports people who have achieved a high level in sport, culture and participation within their community.

The Ngāti Kahungunu Sports Awards event will be held on Friday 18th October 2013 at the Hastings Sports Centre, Railway Road, Hastings. This is a formal evening and includes a three course meal and entertainment.

Tickets
·       Tickets are $600.00 for a table of ten or $60 per single.
·       Tickets can be purchased from the Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc. Office
Taikura House, First Floor 304 Fitzroy Avenue, Hastings. 
Ph 8762718 or toll free 0800 KAHUNGUNU or email: michelle@kahungunu.iwi.nz

Guest speaker
Global Superstar and Rugby Legend Jonah Lomu sponsored by Unison, the Power Lines People.

Sponsors
This event is proudly sponsored by the following organisations.
Te Kupenga Hauora Ahuriri, EIT Te Aho A Māui, Te Puni Kōkiri, Te Roopu Huihuinga Hauora, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, Te Roopu A Iwi Trust, Central Health, Unison, the Power Lines People and Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated.

Acknowledgement
We acknowledge Shane Hurndell Sports Writer for Hawke’s Bay Today.

ENDS

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