Piri Weepu is in the running for yet another national Māori title.
After collecting Māori Rugby Player of the Year and Māori Sports Person of the Year for 2011, he’s now also in contention for Marae Investigate’s Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka (Māori of the Year 2011.)
Piri has been named along with 27 other finalists, covering nine categories, as people who have increased the mana of Māori in 2011.
Also in contention are singers Tiki Taane and Ria Hall, anti-child abuse campaigner Cherie Sweeney and the organisers of the Iron Māori Endurance Event.
Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka will air on Sunday February 5 in a one hour live special on TVOne celebrating Māori excellence. Marae Investigates Producer, Raewyn Rasch says she believes the programme is the first time a national award of this nature has been made.
“We wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate Māori success across a wide range of endeavours.” She says Māori often found it hard to blow their own trumpet but she believes it is important for success to be recognised.
Public nominations were called for in December and Ms Rasch says the 27 finalists had to be whittled down from more than 100 nominations.
The Category winners will be announced live on Marae Investigates on Sunday February 5 and the Supreme Winner will be presented with a specially commissioned pounamu trophy carved by master carver Hepi Maxwell of Rotorua
The Finalists are:-
ARTS
Michael Parekowhai
Ria Hall
Tiki Taane
BUSINESS
Tainui Group Holdings Ltd
Mitai Māori Village
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Cherie Sweeney
Te Whānau o Ngāti Rongomai
Henare O’Keefe
HEALTH
Iron Māori
Dr Lance O’Sullivan
Suzanne Pitama
EDUCATION
King’s College
Tawhirimatea & Kaa Williams
Robyn Bargh (Huia Publishers)
REO/TIKANGA
Charlie Te Pana
Kingi Biddle
Huirangi Waikerepuru
SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY/ INNOVATION
Professor Mike Walker
Dr Jamie Ataria
Mana Vautier
SPORT
Piri Weepu
Sam Sutton
Lisa Carrington
TREATY ISSUES
Wai 262 Claimants (Posthumous)
Mark Solomon
Professor Whatarangi Winiata