2025 MĀORI SPORTS AWARDS
29th November 2025
Tūrangawaewae Marae, Ngāruawāhia
Presenter: Te Arahi Maipi, Erena Mikaere
Photos available for Photosport www.photosport.nz
Albie Pryor Memorial Māori Sportsperson of the Year
Dr Karlina Tongotea (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Tonga), Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland – hiki taumaha | powerlifting
Māori Sports Administrator
Gordon Watson (Ngāpuhi), Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland – poiwhana | football
Māori Para-Athlete
Cameron Leslie MNZM (Ngāpuhi), Whangārei – Kauhoe whaikaha | Para swimming
Māori Umpire / Referee
Ben O’Keeffe (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua), Kaipara – whutupōro | rugby
Māori Sports Team
Mareikura U18 Wāhine Māori Team – whutupōro | rugby
Māori Sports Coach
Marty Bourke (Waikato Tainui), Ōtautahi | Christchurch – whutupōro | rugby
Junior Māori Sportswoman
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai), Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland – whutupōro | rugby
Junior Māori Sportsman
Dylan Pledger (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), Ōtepoti | Dunedin – whutupōro | rugby
Senior Māori Sportswoman
Dr Karlina Tongotea (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Tonga), Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland – hiki taumaha | powerlifting
Senior Māori Sportsman
Joseph Tapine (Ngāi Tūhoe), Ahitereiria | Australia – rīki | rugby league
Māori Sports Hall of Fame
Dame Lisa Carrington DNZM MNZM (Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tara Tokanui, Ngāti Maniapoto), North Harbour – waka hūkere | canoe sprint
Māori World Champions
Dr Karlina Tongotea (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Tonga), Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland – hiki taumaha | powerlifting
Waikura Taiapa (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui), Katikati – kūrutu | jiu jitsu
Scholarships
Massey University
Te Maia Sweetman (Rangitāne ki Tāmaki Nui a Rua), Te Papaioea | Palmerston North – whutupōro | rugby, rīki | rugby league
Māori Education Trust
Bailey Ngatai-Cribb (Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Kuia), Manawatū – pā whutupōro | touch rugby
Skills Active
Epiha Ricky Muru-Kete (Waikato Tainui), Rāhui-Pōkeka | Huntly – rīki | rugby league
Herewini Whanau Hockey Scholarship
Ben Cooper (Ngāti Kahungunu)
Nina Murphy (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki)