Te Arawa Award winners announced

Te Arawa's Ravinder-Marie Singh, left and Kimo Houltham were MCs for the Te Arawa Awards at the Holiday Inn. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Outstanding achievement has been recognised and celebrated at the annual Te Arawa Awards.

The event, organised by Te Papa Takaro o Te Arawa, was held last night at the Holiday Inn in Rotorua where excellence in sport, cultural activities, service to the community, academia and positive contribution to whanau, hapu, iwi and marae was acknowledged. More than 300 people attended.

"We had so many nominations from right across the board, from kura to mainstream schools, primary, intermediate and high school," awards co-ordinator Hana Tapiata said.

"The night is about celebrating being Te Arawa. This is the forum to be supportive and showcase the talent that we do have and concentrate on the positive contribution and make everyone aware of what's going on with our youth and athletes, not only in Rotorua but throughout the country and overseas."

Organisers had spent about six months preparing and more than 80 nominations were received.

The Te Puia Te Arawa Hall of Fame Membership was given to Margaret Anne Ruwaioterangi Hiha, who has played hockey and softball at an elite level.

"The award was given for the service and commitment Margaret has given to sport, especially in hockey and the contribution she has made to iwi and New Zealand hockey," Ms Tapiata said.

Te Arawa Awards recipients:

Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust Te Arawa Rangatahi Achievement Awards
More than 40 rangatahi (young people) were nominated and recognised for excellence in sport, academic, the arts and services to the community.

Te Arawa Rangatahi Teams of the Year:
Rotorua Girls' High School junior premier netball team
Western Heights High School senior A volleyball team
Te Aurere Waka Ama club

Te Kotahitanga o Te Arawa (Te Arawa Fisheries) scholarships:
Te Ahikaa Bidois
Armani Stephens
Taihakoa Teepa
Te Rua Wallace
Te Hakaraia o Te Rangi Wilson
Luke Hewitt

Te Puhi o Te Arawa - Outstanding Rangatahi Achiever of the Year
Matangiroa Flavell

Te Arawa Sports Awards
Te Arawa Communications Team of the Year: Rotorua Boys' High School sevens touch
Southern Trust Coach of the Year: Maurice Stone (Touch)
Lakes District Health Board Sportsperson with Disability: George Thomas (Waka Ama)
The Lion Foundation Junior Sportsman of the Year: Kahurangi Robinson (Volleyball)
First Sovereign Trust Senior Sportsman of the Year: Nehe Milner-Skudder (Rugby)

Te Puia Te Arawa Hall of Fame Membership: Margaret Anne Ruwaioterangi Hiha