The Tairawhiti Maori Sports Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the success of the Maori sporting community, to further support their talent and to bring out the best in the athletes.
It also provides opportunities for athletes to be recognised by talent scouts. This can lead to further sporting opportunities, which would then lead to better coaching and development opportunities.
Organising committee chairwoman Athena Emmerson-Kapa says the goal is to ensure that Maori athletes from this region have access to the same opportunities available to top New Zealand athletes.
“It’s an important opportunity for our community to recognise the amazing sporting talent that exists in the Tairawhiti region,” she said.
The organising committee for the awards includes representation from Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa, Tamanuhiri Tutu Poroporo Trust, Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust, Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti and community members.
“We have a good cross-representation of local organisations and iwi involved and we all have a common goal, which is to ensure Maori sport achievement is promoted and recognised in the Tairawhiti region,” Emmerson-Kapa said.
The committee is looking for expressions of interest from sponsors.
Nominations for the 13 award categories are open and must be received by 5pm on July 12.
Nomination forms can be obtained from Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa, Tamanuhiri Tutu Poroporo Trust, Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust, Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti and the Gisborne Herald front office.
