NGĀ IKA Ā WHIRO | Māori Sports Team of the Year New Zealand Māori Development team – whutupōro | rugby. Maori Sports Awards, Mercury Baypark Arena, Tauranga on Saturday November 30 2024. Photo credit: Stephen Parker / www.photosport.nz

The 34^th Trillian Trust Māori Sports Awards took place in Mount Maunganui last week. The awards night celebrated 80 athletes across 13 categories.

Some notable mentions go to All Blacks vice-captain and Crusaders veteran Codie Taylor, nō Muaūpoko me Ngāti Raukawa, who was named TE TAMA-Ā-TANENUIĀRANGI – Senior Māori Sportsman of the Year. Dame Lisa Carrington DNZM OLY#1131, nō Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki me Ngāti Porou, won the HINEAHUONE – Senior Māori Sportswoman of the Year award, before clinching the RONGOMARAEROA – Albie Pryor Memorial Māori Sports Person of the Year award for the seventh time.

The awards night was a true display of whanaungatanga (a sense of family connection) and community appreciation. It was a time for everyone to come together, share stories, and honour the hard work and dedication of Māori athletes and their entire support network – whānau and coaches alike.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of NGĀ IKA Ā WHIRO – Māori Sports Team of the Year to the NZ Māori Rugby Development Team. This team has shown exceptional dedication, incorporating tikanga Māori and representing Māori culture with pride on the rugby field. They play a crucial role in developing rangatahi Māori and providing opportunities for them to reach their full potential and succeed in rugby at a high level.

The NZ Māori Rugby Development Team is more than just a group; it includes coaches, whānau, and friends who support and encourage the athletes from the very start of their careers. Their success is a testament to the mana of te ao Māori (a Māori worldview), the strength of Māori communities, and the importance of teamwork and wrap-around support systems.

Sport NZ Ihi Aotearoa is committed to supporting events like the Māori Sports Awards because they highlight the importance of culture and community within te ao hākinakina (the sporting world). By celebrating these achievements, we hope to continue to inspire the next generation of Māori athletes to pursue their dreams and continue the legacy of excellence.

Ko te amorangi ki mua, ko te hāpai ō ki muri.

The success of our front-facing leaders is made possible by the strength of the support behind them.

Read the full list of winners on the Māori Sport Awards website.