New Zealand's first Olympic gold medal winner in women's sprint canoeing, Lisa Carrington, collected the supreme Albie Pryor Memorial Sportsperson of the Year award in Auckland on Saturday.
Carrington, from Ohope Beach, wrote her name into the history books as the first ever winner of the women's K1 200m title.
The 23-year-old sprint kayaker blitzed the field to win by almost half a second, completing an impressive Olympic debut for the paddler who took up the sport aged 16 and set an Olympic record in the semifinal.
Tauranga rugby referee on the rise, Glen Jackson, was honoured with the Maori Sports Umpire/Referee of the Year ahead of the former Steamers supreme first-five officiating his first internationals next month.
A total of 22 Olympians, three Paralympians, 11 world champions and four world champion teams were honoured at the 2012 Maori Sports Awards.
The 2012 Maori Sports Awards winners
Rongomaraeroa - The Albie Pryor Memorial Maori Sportsperson of the Year
Lisa Carrington (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) of Ohope, Bay of Plenty-canoeing
Te Aratiatia - Maori Sports Umpire/Referee of the Year
Glen Warrick Jackson (Ngai Tahu) of Tauranga-rugby
Maui Tikitiki A Taranga - Maori Sports Administrator of the Year
Mavis Mullins MNZM (Rangitane, Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi, Te Arawa) of Dannevirke - shearing
Te Toihuarewa - Disabled Maori Sportsperson of the Year
Cameron Leslie (Ngapuhi) of Whangarei - swimming
Nga Ikaawhiro - Maori Sports Team of the Year
Joanne Kumeroa (Te Ati Haunui-a-Paparangi) of Victoria, Australia, Joel Henare (Ngati Porou) of Gisborne - wool handling
Te Maruotumatauenga - Maori Sports Coach of the Year
Waimarama Taumaunu (Ngati Porou) of Wellington - netball
Te Tamahine A Papatuanuku - Junior Maori Sportswoman of the Year
Kataraina Brown (Ngati Hako) of Manurewa, Auckland - waka ama
Te Tama A Ranginui - Junior Maori Sportsman of the Year
Jason Emery (Ngati Maniapoto) of Manawatu - rugby
Hineahuone - Senior Maori Sportswoman of the Year
Lisa Carrington (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) of Ohope, Bay of Plenty - canoeing
Te Tama A Tanenuiarangi - Senior Maori Sportsman of the Year
Storm Uru (Ngai Tahu) of Cambridge - rowing
