A unique world-class Māori sporting and cultural event is now seeking nominations for its annual awards ceremony.
The 34th Trillian Trust Māori Sports Awards will be hosted by Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Trust at Mercury Baypark Arena in Mount Maunganui on Saturday November 30 2024.
The prestigious function attracts more than 1000 dignitaries, celebrities and sportspeople who gather to honour the achievements of Māori athletes, administrators and coaches.
This year’s ceremony will pay tribute to Olympic gold medallists including Dame Lisa Carrington, Ellesse Andrews and Stacey Waaka as well as Māori Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Riki Ellison (Ngāi Tahu) – the first New Zealander to play American football professionally in the United States and the first to win a Super Bowl.
Awards will also be presented for top sports administrator, umpire/referee, para-athlete, coach, team, junior sportsman and woman, senior sportsman and woman, and world individual and team champions.
An overall winner will be named as the Albie Pryor Memorial Māori Sports Person of the Year, Rongomaraeroa.
Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Trust executive director Richard (Dick) Garratt says the closing date for nominations – which recognise sporting achievements over the past 12 months – is Friday 1 November 2024.
“We’re urging Māori and iwi organisations as well as individuals to take up the challenge and nominate their outstanding Māori athletes without delay,” Mr Garratt says.
“The black-tie event is a sporting icon of Māoridom and the pinnacle of Māori sporting success, and this year’s ceremony promises to be the most exciting since its inception in 1991.” The nomination form is available on the website.
