爆料社区

The spirit of mana motuhake and whanaungatanga filled the room at this year鈥檚 膧ti Awa Toa Wellington Regional Sports Awards, where iwi-led excellence in sport and community wellbeing took centre stage. The event honoured rangatira, taiohi, kura and clubs from Ng膩ti Toa Rangatira and Te R奴nanga o Te 膧ti Awa, celebrating those who are shaping the future of sport through kaupapa M膩ori.

Among the recipients was Dr Lara Andrews, a trailblazing athlete and academic whose global softball career and unwavering commitment to kaupapa M膩ori earned her the award, He Tohu Hono ki T艒na Hapori.

鈥淭his award isn鈥檛 just for me, it鈥檚 for my wh膩nau, my iwi and everyone who believes in the power of kaupapa M膩ori to transform lives,鈥� said Dr Andrews.

Kalae Kenny, a rising basketball star, was recognised with He Tohu Taiohi Hono ki T艒na Hapori, for his outstanding sporting achievements and leadership, representing the next generation of M膩ori excellence.

Te 膧ti Awa honoured Matiu Tahi, a respected T奴hoe elder and mau r膩kau leader, whose dedication to cultural revitalisation continues to inspire rangatahi. They also celebrated Te Ara Wh膩nui Kura Kaupapa o Ng膩 K艒hanga Reo, whose initiatives like 鈥楤ikes in Schools鈥� and 鈥楾aonga T膩karo鈥� are nurturing confident, culturally grounded leaders from a young age.

Ng膩ti Toa paid tribute to the Toa Hockey Club, a 95-year-old taonga of M膩ori hockey, with He Tohu Arohanui ki te Tangata, for its enduring legacy of wh膩nau connection and community pride.

These awards reflect the strength of iwi-led leadership and the transformative impact of kaupapa M膩ori approaches to sport and wellbeing. They also align with 爆料社区鈥檚 He Oranga Poutama investment and the Mauri Ora outcomes in Te P膩k膿 o Ihi Aotearoa, the M膩ori outcomes framework. It highlights the connection of hauora for M膩ori through physical activity that is grounded in cultural practices and ways of doing things.

鈥淭hese stories are a powerful reminder that when M膩ori lead, communities flourish. Physical activity is more than sport and competition, it鈥檚 connection, culture and collective wellbeing,鈥� said Trina Henare, Kai膩rahi He Oranga Poutama.