A Kerikeri martial artist is the latest recipient of the highest sporting honour bestowed by the University of Auckland.
Taekwon-do and kickboxing champion Riley Phillips-Harris was named their Sportsperson of the Year 2016.
He joins the likes of pole vaulter Eliza McCartney and Black Stick George Muir as the recipient of a prestigious University of Auckland Blues Award.
He received the accolade at the 2016 Blues Awards Ceremony on September 22, which is held annually to recognise students who achieve in Sports, the Arts and Service and Leadership.
Riley, from Kerikeri, competes in both kickboxing and taekwon-do. He is completing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts.
His sporting achievements in the past 18 months include gold at the Taekwon-do International Federation World Cup, the International Sports Kickboxing Association World Cup and the International Sports Kickboxing Association US Open.
Earlier this year he beat Jamaican Kenneth Edwards, an Olympian and world champion karateka.
Up-and-coming karate star Tia Tuiburelevu received the award for Sportswoman of the Year. The Māori Sportsperson of the year was world record-breaking hurdler Joshua Hawkins (Ngāti Tamatera).
A University Blue is the highest accolade to be earned at a Tertiary level, traditionally awarded for excellence in a sporting code.