All Black and Blues player Piri Weepu has been named Māori of the Year 2011 on TVNZ’s Marae Investigates programme Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka.
Piri won the sport section and then came out ahead of eight other category winners to take the Supreme Award and a specially carved pounamu trophy.
NARK campaigner Cherie Sweeney was recognised for her fight against child abuse while international artist Michael Parekowhai won the Arts category ahead of singers Tiki Taane and Ria Hall.
The organisers of the endurance sports event Iron Māori were recognised for their contribution to Māori health and King’s College was acknowledged for introducing compulsory Māori language classes for all Year 9 students.
The Business section went to Tainui Group Holdings Ltd whose multi-million dollar projects last year included the opening of the Novotel Hotel at Auckland International Airport. Iwi Leaders’ Forum Chairman, Mark Solomon was recognised for his contribution to treaty settlements and iwi leadership.
Aerospace Engineer Mana Vautier based in Houston, Texas won the Science/Innovation/Technology awards and veteran Māori language campaigner Huirangi Waikerepuru was awarded for his life-long commitment to Reo Māori.
TVNZ’s General Manager of Maori and Pacific Programmes Paora Maxwell says the inaugural Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka programme, on the eve of Waitangi Day, was a celebration of Māori excellence.
“We at TVNZ have been so proud to bring these awards to New Zealand demonstrating our role as the national broadcaster and also the thrill it has given us at celebrating Maori success in this way", says Paora Maxwell.
The full list of winners is as follows:
Arts Michael Parekowhai
Business Tainui Group Holdings Ltd
Community Service Cherie Sweeney
Health Iron Maori, Heather Skipworth and Missy Mackey
Education King’s College
Reo/Tikanga Huirangi Waikerepuru
Science/Technology/Innovation Mana Vautier
Sport Piri Weepu
Treaty Issues Mark Solomon