Canoeing star Lisa Carrington of Ohope and league's Matiu Love-Henry of Taupo are among the finalists chasing top honours at the 2013 National Maori Sports Awards.
In 1991, Albie Pryor (Ngati Awa) established the black-tie extravaganza to promote and encourage Maori in the pursuit of sporting excellence. He later expanded
that brief to identify and support young Maori talent so they could achieve at Olympic, Commonwealth and international competitions.
The 2013 National Maori Sports Awards finalists are:
MAUI TIKITIKI-A-TARANGA - Maori Sports Administrator of the Year:
Raelene Castle (Ngapuhi) of Belmore, New South Wales, Australia - netball, rugby league
Howie Tamati MBE (Ngati Mutunga) of New Plymouth - rugby league
Heather Skipworth (Ngati Kahungunu) of Napier - multi-sports
TE TOIHUAREWA - Disabled Maori Sports Person of the Year:
Cameron Leslie (Ngapuhi) of Whangarei - swimming, wheelchair rugby
Holly Robinson (Ngai Tahu) of Dunedin - javelin
Maia Marshall Amai (Ngai Tuhoe) of Pt England, Auckland - wheelchair rugby
TE ARATIATIA - Maori Sports Umpire/Referee of the Year:
Dwayne Paul (Ngati Haua) of Matamata - netball
Glen Warrick Jackson (Ngai Tahu) of Tauranga - rugby
Henry Perenara (Ngati Rangitihi) of Cronulla, Sydney - rugby league
NGA IKA A WHIRO - Maori Sports Team of the Year:
Maori All Blacks
New Zealand Maori Rugby League
Aotearoa Maori Netball
TE MARU A TAMATAUENGA - Maori Sports Coach of the Year:
Waimarama Taumaunu (Ngati Porou) of Wellington - netball
Sean Horan (Ngai Tahu) of Tauranga - sevens
Colin Cooper (Ngati Pukenga) of Taranaki - rugby
TE TAMAHINE-A-PAPATUANUKU - Junior Maori Sportswoman of the Year:
Tyla Nathan-Wong (Ngapuhi) of Blockhouse Bay, Auckland - sevens, touch
Te Rongopai Clay (Ngati Awa, Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau) of Wellington - golf
Phoenix Karaka (Ngati Whatua) of Auckland - netball
TE TAMA-A-RANGINUI - Junior Maori Sportsman of the Year:
Tai Hikuroa Wynyard (Ngati Maniapoto, Ngapuhi, Tainui) of Waitakere, Auckland - basketball
Joe Edwards (Te Whakatohea, Ngati Tuwharetoa) of Pakuranga, Auckland - rugby
Matiu Love-Henry (Ngati Tuwharetoa, Te Atiawa) of Taupo - rugby league
HINEAHUONE - Senior Maori Sportswoman of the Year:
Lisa Carrington (Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki) of Ohope, Bay of Plenty - canoeing
Suzie Bates (Ngai Tahu) of Dunedin - cricket
Kayla McAlister (Te Ati Awa) of Auckland - rugby
TE TAMA-A-TANENUIARANGI - Senior Maori Sportsman of the Year:
Brad Rona (Te Ati Awa) of Glenfield, Auckland - softball
Jason Wynyard (Ngati Maniapoto, Ngapuhi, Tainui) of Waitakere, Auckland - wood chopping
Gillies Kaka (Ngati Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine, Ngati Manawa) of Hawke's Bay - rugby, sevens
The 23rd awards ceremony will be hosted by Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust at Auckland's Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau on Saturday November 30 from 5pm.