Pem Bird has been honoured in this year's Matariki Awards. Photo/file
Pem Bird has been honoured in this year's Matariki Awards. Photo/file
Bay of Plenty identities have been honoured in the 2018 Māori Television Matariki Awards, celebrating outstanding Māori achievement.
Māori Sportswoman of the Year and World Rugby Women's Player of the Year Portia Woodman, who lives in Mount Maunganui, received the 2018 Te Waitā Award for Sport for her stellar performance as part of world champion New Zealand's Black Ferns.
Bay of Plenty's Pem Bird was acknowledged with Te Ururangi Award for Education for his ongoing commitment to indigenous education across Aotearoa, as well as the sustained improvement of Māori academic achievement.
Tauranga artist Mr G, Graham Hoete, was in the running for Te Waipuna-a-Rangi Award for Arts and Entertainment, which was awarded to Rachel House and Professor Derek Lardelli.
Northland-based Kiwi metal band Alien Weaponry have won Te Whetū Maiangi Award for Young Achievers for their musical success over the last year. The trio consisting of Henry De Jong (18), Lewis De Jong (16) and Ethan Trembath (16) released their debut album Tū and have toured their Te Reo language music internationally.
The Te Toi ō Ngā Rangi Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to five recipients this year - Sir Timoti Karetu, Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi, Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru, Professor Wharehuia Milroy and Professor Pou Temara.
Mount Maunganui based sevens player Portia Woodman has been honoured in this year's Matariki Awards. Photo/file
Te Tupu-ā-Rangi Award for Health and Science was presented to Mike King for his work around mental health awareness with the Key To Life Charitable Trust to help empower communities through trust and education.
Sustainable business is at the heart of KONO NZ LP's operation, and Te Tupu-ā-Nuku Award for Business and Innovation highlights their position as a leading New Zealand business.
With the ultimate goal of seeing Te Reo thrive across the Aotearoa, Paraone Gloyne received Te Waitī Award for Te Reo and Tikanga for his work towards the revitalisation of Te Reo in Aotearoa.
The Hiwa i te Rangi Award for Community was presented to the NZ Māori Wardens Association for their grassroots involvement nationwide and the commitment each member undertakes to provide support to their communities.
Māori Television chief executive, Keith Ikin said it was important to take the time to celebrate all the Māori achievement and success happening in various sectors across Aotearoa.
"From the revitalisation of Te Reo through to entrepreneurship, artistry, or improving the wellbeing of our people, we need to take the time to recognise this mahi happening up and down our country.
"We are proud to honour all the finalists and winners who have each made their outstanding contribution to Aotearoa."
For his contributions to Māori kapa haka, tā moko artistry, the revival of Māori art and its spiritual significance, Professor Derek Lardelli has been recognised with the Te Tohu Tikitiki o Matariki- Supreme Award. Derek joins Taika Waititi and Cliff Curtis as the only winners of the prestigious award.
The ceremony was hosted by Stacey Morrison. It featured live performances from Ria Hall, Russell Harrison & The Brown Brothers and Maimoa
Māori Television 2018 Matariki Awards Winners
Te Waipuna-a-Rangi Award for Arts and Entertainment •Winners: Rachel House & Professor Derek Lardelli •Graham Hoete aka Mr G
Te Waitā Award for Sport •Winner: Portia Woodman •Jason Wynyard •Rieko Ioane
Te Whetū Maiangi Award for Young Achievers •Winner: Alien Weaponry •Shay Wright •Pania Newton
Te Tupu-ā-Nuku Award for Business & Innovation •Winner: KONO NZ LP •Animation Research Ltd •Tai Tokerau Honey Ltd
Te Tupu-ā-Rangi Award for Health & Science •Winner: Mike King •Dr David Tipene-Leach •Dr Matire Harwood
Te Ururangi Award for Education •Winner: Pem Bird •Dr Melinda Webber •Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rito with Fletcher Construction
Te Waitī Award for Te Reo & Tikanga •Winner: Paraone Gloyne •Matewa Media Charitable Trust •Jeremy MacLeod
Hiwa i te Rangi Award for Community •Winner: NZ Māori Wardens Association •Hikurangi Enterprises •Diana & Mark Kopua
Te Toi Ō Ngā Rangi – Lifetime Achievement Award •Sir Timoti Karetu •Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi •Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru •Professor Te Wharehuia Milroy •Professor Pou Temara
