Outstanding achievement has been recognised and celebrated at the annual Te Arawa Awards.
The event, organised by Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa, was held last night at the Holiday Inn in Rotorua where excellence in sport, cultural activities, service to the community, academia and positive contribution to whanau, hapu, iwi and marae was acknowledged. More than 300 people attended.
"We had so many nominations from right across the board, from kura to mainstream schools, primary, intermediate and high school," awards co-ordinator Hana Tapiata said.
"The night is about celebrating being Te Arawa. This is the forum to be supportive and showcase the talent that we do have and concentrate on the positive contribution and make everyone aware of what's going on with our youth and athletes, not only in Rotorua but throughout the country and overseas."
Organisers had spent about six months preparing and more than 80 nominations were received.
