Annual iwi sports awards night to go alcohol free

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana said the awards would be alcohol-free from this year. Photo / Duncan Brown

No alcohol will be served at Ngati Kahungunu's 14th Annual Sports Awards tomorrow night.

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana said the awards would be alcohol-free from this year.

"We have all been made aware in the media of the harmful effects alcohol has had on some of our talented elite local athletes. I commend Heather Skipworth, co-founder of IronMori for bringing this issue to our board who supported this action 100 per cent."

Ms Skipworth wrote to the iwi board proposing they remove alcohol permanently from future Kahungunu Sports Awards.

"I have often been pressured in an awards setting by friends who have commented that I have to have just one small drink as I deserve it. It is pressure that I hope would not be put to any of our upcoming sports stars by their friends at such events," said Ms Skipworth.

"This is the normal at our IronMori events. We have 2500 IronMori athletes and their families at our awards. Some people were disgruntled at first but now it is accepted and welcomed."

"I am grateful and humbled that the Ngti Kahungunu Iwi Board took the time to listen to my small voice and have acted on it immediately. It's a wonderful result for future generations ... and I hope other iwi will follow suit with their awards or future celebrations. I see no positive reason for alcohol."