Northland stars win Matariki Awards

Now with a prestigious Matariki Award Waipu under their belts, teen thrash metal band Alien Weaponry.

Among Northlanders who were shining lights at the third annual Matariki Awards were a heavy metal band, an actor, a women's rugby super star and a mental health advocate.

The 2018 Māori Television Matariki Awards held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Saturday celebrated outstanding Māori achievement across a broad range of categories.

Actor Rachel House, who grew up in Whangarei, was joint winner of Te Waipuna-ā-Rangi Award for Entertainment. Her resume is impressive, with wide experience in stage, television and film, including Hollywood productions such as Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok and Disney's smash hit Moana.

House was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the Performing Arts in 2017.

She shared Te Waipuna-ā-Rangi Award with Professor Derek Lardelli, who also took the supreme Te Tohu Tikitiki o Matariki Award for his contributions to kapa haka, tā moko artistry, the revival of Māori art and its spiritual significance.

Māori Sportswoman of the Year and World Rugby Women's Player of the Year Portia Woodman — whose family is from Kaikohe — received the 2018 Te Waitā Award for Sport for her stellar performance as part of world champion New Zealand's Black Ferns.

Waipu based metal band Alien Weaponry, comprising Henry De Jong, 18, Lewis De Jong, 16 and Ethan Trembath, 16 won Te Whetū Maiangi Award for Young Achievers for their musical success over the last year. Alien Weaponry released a debut album Tū and have toured their te Reo language music internationally.

Te Tupu-ā-Rangi Award for Health and Science was presented to Waipu resident Mike King for his work in mental health awareness.

Established last year, Te Toi ō Ngā Rangi Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to five recipients this year for their commitment to te reo and tikanga — Sir Timoti Karetu, Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi, Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru, Professor Wharehuia Milroy and Professor Pou Temara.

Unfortunately, none of Northland recipients attended the awards ceremony to receive their trophies in person.