Tairāwhiti Sports Awards winners

Members of the Gisborne Boardriders Club were in party mode after their double success at the Tairāwhiti Sports Awards on Friday night. The club won the club and community impact categories. Photo / Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography

The Tairāwhiti Sports Awards winners were announced on Friday night. The winners were:

Sportsperson Award: Alicia Hoskin (canoe sprint/kayaking).

Sportsman: Oska Smith (surf lifesaving).

Sportswoman: Alicia Hoskin (canoe sprint/kayaking).

Junior Sportsman: Maia Campbell (waka ama).

Junior Sportswoman: Hinekahukura Brooking (waka ama).

Masters Sportsperson: Emily Gillies (surf lifesaving).

Whaikaha – Athletes with Disabilities: Jack Adams (para-athletics).

Sports Team: Kaiarahi Toa (waka ama).

Junior Sports Team: Midway Under-19 Women (surf lifesaving).

Coach: Arna Majstrovic (surf lifesaving).

Official: Amber Church (hockey).

Club: Gisborne Boardriders (surfing).

Community Impact: Gisborne Boardriders (project – Ngati Porou Boardriders).

Event Excellence: Surf Life Saving New Zealand (2025 New Zealand Surf Life Saving Championships).

Volunteer: Albie Nepia, Alice and Ken Houkamau (support for numerous sports and participants).

Services to Sport: Annette Kingi (netball), Allen Hurne (hockey), Krissy Hohepa (hockey), Cherry Henry (taekwondo).

Tairāwhiti Legends of Sport: Liz Thompson, Kiwi Campbell.

International hockey umpire Amber Church (left) won the official award. She is pictured with Jirah Wanoa of category sponsor Rochdale Advisory Group. Photo / Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography

Cherry Henry's contribution to taekwondo was acknowledged with a service to sport award. Other service awards went to Krissy Hohepa (hockey), Allen Hurne (hockey) and Annette Kingi (netball). Photo / Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography

Netball stalwart Annette Kingi received a service to sport award. Photo / Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography

Waka ama paddler Hinekahukura Brooking (centre) won junior sportswoman. She is pictured with Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti board deputy chair Naomi Whitewood (left) and Waka Ama NZ coach Sieda Tureia. Photo / Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography

The Midway Under-19 women's surf lifesaving team won the junior sports team award. Team member Jacqueline Kennedy (left) is pictured with Whiti Ora Tairāwhiti board chair Steve Berezowski. Photo / Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography

Surf lifesaving great Liz Thompson (left) was inducted into the Tairāwhiti Legends of Sport. She is pictured with Tūranga FM's Rahia Timutimu. Photo / Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography

Ken Houkamau (right) and Alice Houkamau (centre) won the volunteer category, along with Albie Nepia, for their support of various sports and participants. They are pictured with Christopher Slater of category sponsor Craig Investments Partner. Photo / Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography

Winners of the sports team category were the Kaiarahi Toa waka ama crew. Pictured are crew members (from left) Hinekahukura Brooking, Keri Mankelow-Ngatoro, Gaibreill Wainohu and Kaiarahi Brooking-Haapu with Steve Shields (centre) of category sponsor Enterprise Motor Group. Photo / Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography

Waka ama paddler Maia Campbell (right) won the junior sportsman category. He is pictured with Doug Jones, the chief executive of category sponsor Trust Tairāwhiti. Photo / Brennan Thomas, Strike Photography