Te Arawa kaumatua Mita Mohi's lifetime of teaching haka and mau taiaha has been honoured with a Te Waka Toi award.
Mr Mohi has been involved in the resurgence of mau taiaha for 35 years after starting the Mokoia Taiaha Wananga, now the longest-running mau taiaha wananga in the country, which has seen more than 20,000 people attend courses.
He has also served on marae committees, school trust boards, the Parole Board and as kaumatua for the police.
Mr Mohi was awarded the Nga Tohu a Ta Kingi Ihaka (Sir Kingi Ihaka award) on Saturday night.
Maori arts board of Creative New Zealand and Te Waka Toi chairman Darrin Haimona said Mr Mohi was being recognised and honoured for his contribution to Maori martial arts as a teacher and performer.