Iwi Say’s No to Alcohol
East coast iwi Ngāti Kahungunu has removed alcohol from the tables at their 14th Annual Sports Awardson Friday night.
“From this year onwards our awards will be alcohol free”, said iwi Chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana. “We have all been made
aware in the media of the harmful effects alcohol has had on some of our talented elite local athletes. I commend
Heather Skipworth, co-founder of IronMāori for bringing this issue to our board who supported this action 100%.”
Heather Skipworth wrote to the iwi board proposing they remove alcohol permanently from future Kahungunu Sports Awards.
“I have often been pressured in an awards setting by friends who have commented that I have to have just one small drink
as I deserve it. It is pressure that I hope would not be put to any of our upcoming sports stars by their friends at
such events,” said Heather.
“This is the normal at our IronMāori events. We have 2500 IronMāori athletes and their families at our awards. Some
people were disgruntled at first but now it is accepted and welcomed.”
“I am grateful and humbled that the Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Board took the time to listen to my small voice and have acted
on it immediately. It’s a wonderful result for future generations and once again Ngāti Kahungunu can lead by example and
I hope other iwi will follow suit with their awards or future celebrations. I see no positive reason for alcohol at such
gatherings.”
Hawke’s Bay’s world champion Sevens star Gillies Kaka has won the Kahungunu Sportsman of the Year Award. World ranked
rowing gold medalist Fiona Bourke has taken out the Kahungunu Sportswoman Award for the third time.
The quality among the junior winners is just as good as well.
World series softballer Courtney Gettings won the junior female award and Crossfit international winner Aidan Wake-Hope
has picked up the junior men’s silverware.
Masters triathlete Joe MacDonald won the Active Kaumatua Award and softball legend Thomas Junior Makea took out the
Māori Coach of the Year Award.
Waka ama stalwart Vanessa Wilson picks up the Sports Administrator Award and international netball referee Marise
Kerehi-Stuart grabbed the Māori Official of the Year gong.
The junior team awards went to Rio world waka champions Ruamano J19s Waka Team and the National Champion Dodgers Premier
Women’s Softball Team picked up the senior teams award.
The overall Kahungunu Sportsperson of the Year will be announced at the sold out Ngāti Kahungunu Sports Awards on Friday
10th October at the Hastings Sports Centre.
ENDS