Powhiri new addition at Conbrio Northland Sports Awards

Former Black Cap James Marshall is one of the guest panelists at the 2017 Conbrio Northland Sports Awards. Photo/NZPA

Northland's night of recognising sporting excellence has come with more than 100 finalists up for awards.

The 2017 Conbrio Northland Sports Awards will honour the best of a strong year for Northland sports, with 119 finalists selected in 27 sports codes.

For the first time the night will start with a powhiri. Sport Northland's Janine Moy said it's part of the night's development.

"We have been on a tikanga journey for close to 15 years and are a bilingual organisation," she said.

"We have always had tikanga infused into the awards and that having a powhiri is part of our continued learning and journey to formally welcome guests (some of whom have travelled great distances) to our whare."

Sport Northland Community Sport Manager Anna Markwick said it was another great year for Northland sport.

"We are really pleased with the quality of the nominations again this year with a number of Northlanders having outstanding performances on the national and international stage, who will be in line to take out the Supreme Award".

The Pak'nSave Coach of the Year Award received some excellent nominations, making it one of the most difficult awards to decide for the judging panel this year.

The other award that is always hotly contested is the Garry Frew Memorial Junior Sportsperson of the Year Award, which includes a grant from Sport Northland's Kauri Club.

Sixteen of the 147 nominees were under the age of 21 which makes them eligible for the Junior Sportsperson Award, of which five are named as finalists.

The Northern Advocate People's Choice Award will be given after voting closed on Sunday.

The theme of the award was "Favourite Northland World Masters Games Athlete", with the finalists being Ady McKenzie (athletics), Dennis Langford (athletics), Jill Coyle (triathlon) and Vanessa Lawgun (Olympic weightlifting).

The event will be hosted by Scotty Stevenson and Mereana Hawthorn, with the pair interviewing a panel of guest speakers.

The panelists are former Black Caps Hamish and James Marshall, Northland Mitre 10 Cup coach Derren Witcombe and Black Fern Charmaine Smith.

The Marshall twins have represented Kaipara Flats Cricket Club, Northland, Northern Districts and New Zealand and were renowned for their speed and brilliance in the field.

Witcombe, a former All Blacks hooker, is in his second stint as Northland coach and took the Taniwha to the Championship semifinals.

Smith has played 16 tests for the Black Ferns and the lock was a big part of the side winning the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Doors open at 5pm with the powhiri beginning at 5:15pm. The doors will reopen at 6pm for the pre-awards mix, with the awards commencing at 7pm.