2013 Inductee – Māori Sports Hall of Fame: Jack Taiaroa (Ngāi Tahu) – rugby, cricket, athletics The return of Ruia Morrison to Wimbledon 2013: Fifty-three years after reaching Wimbledon women’s quarter-finals. Recipient Ushers from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori ā Rohe o Māngere Monique Te Moana Ngāi Tūhoe Tama Toa Ropati Ngāti Hine, Hamoa, Ngāi Te Rangi Hosted at Vodafone Events Centre Saturday 30 November 2013 1 Kiingi Tuheitia Te Arikinui Kiingi Tuheitia Patron Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust 2 E ngā iwi o te motu, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Tuatahi me mihi, me tangi atu ki ngā toa hākinakina kua mate atu i tēnei tau. Ko Papali’itele Pita Fatialofa tērā, kei roto i ō tātou poho e noho wera tonu ana, he toa tūturu, he rangatira o tōna iwi. Ko Dennis Hansen tērā, ko Laly Haddon hoki, he toa whutupaoro rāua i ō rāua wā – tae atu ki a Alby Pryor, nānā tenei kaupapa i whakatū - me te maha noa atu o ngā rangatira o te papa tākaro: haere, haere koutou, haere atu rā. I tēnei pō, kua huihui tātou ki te whakanui i te hunga kua eke ki ngā taumata, me ō rātou whānau hoki. Ko ngā toa hei tauira, hei arataki i a tātou, a, nā ngā whānau rātou i tautoko kia piki ai ki runga ki te rangi. The Maori Sports Awards have always been a highlight of the year. It is a time when we come together and celebrate our sporting triumphs, but it is also a time when we can look back over the year and measure the success of our communities and people, and particularly our rangatahi. The finalists in this year’s awards span the generations. Some have been world leaders in their sports for many years, and some are only just beginning their sports journey, but represent stellar success and commitment. I want to particularly acknowledge those who have contributed to a growing number of Maori participating in physical activity, both here in Aotearoa and overseas. It is extremely inspiring to see Maori, big or small, young and old participating in a wide range of sports, which in the past seemed to be only accessible by the young and fit. Alongside this growth in participation, and changing attitudes towards sport, I believe that a new generation of successful sports leadership has also inspired people into a wider range of sports activities. I want to make particular mention of the huge phenomena that are Waka Ama, multi-sports, and Crossfit which have taken our communities by storm. The stories I have heard, and the people that I have seen participating in these sports give me great faith that as a Maori we can do absolutely anything we put our minds to. That’s true inspiration. Tonight is about recognising the successful pursuits of Maori in sport. Each and every finalist across all categories has represented our nation proudly, and has shown commitment, perseverance, and determination. Each of these finalists has also been a part of lifting the profile of their sport, and as Maori, shining the light of pride on our whanau, hapu and iwi. I want to acknowledge the leadership shown by all finalists, and indeed all of those champions in our communities who promote engagement in sports. I also want to recognise their whanau, friends and supporters. It is no mean feat to become an elite sports person, but tonight is about celebrating you, your vision, passion and commitment, and how that has impacted on us all. Tēnā koutou katoa Hon. Dr. Pita R. Sharples 3 Michelle Hippolite Chief Executive - Te Puni Kōkiri E ngā iwi, e ngā hapū, e ngā whānau katoa o te motu, tēnā koutou katoa. In my role as Chief Executive of Te Puni Kōkiri I am often asked “What does success for Māori look like?” In many ways the Māori Sports Awards is one initiative that contributes to celebrating success. The Māori Sports Awards turn the spotlight on our sports men and women who are pursuing their dreams and realising success, as well as celebrating the commitment and resolve of the coaches, referees and administrators who work to strengthen sports in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Māori Sports Awards recognise the hard worn path from participation to winning - the value of participation cannot be undervalued. From tamariki who turn up at Saturday sports on netball courts and rugby fields in driving rain, to whānau who volunteer as coaches, who take their kids (and other people’s kids!) to practices, who fundraise or play governance roles: sporting success is built on collective participation and commitment. To the individual achievements of this year’s Māori Sports Awards recipients I applaud your passion, tenacity and pursuit of excellence. Your success lifts us all up. I also commend Te Tohu Tākaro o Aotearoa for creating a platform for Māori sports and for fostering young Māori talent through sports and educational scholarships. The Māori Sports Awards remain an important waka to help demonstrate success a canoe which we are all in – with no exception. He waka eke noa. Ngā mihi Michelle Hippolite Chief Executive Te Puni Kōkiri 4 Pine Harrison E ngā iwi, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha o ngā hau e wha, ngā mihi tino nui ki a koutou katoa. On behalf of Te Tohu o Aotearoa Charitable Trust, it is indeed my Patron Kaumātua pleasure and privilege to welcome you here tonight for the 23rd annual National Māori Sports Awards. This year, we will celebrate the achievements of our outstanding Kiingi Tuheitia Henare Pryor Margaret Hiha Māori sports people – their dedication, determination, Board of Trustees motivation and perseverance in reaching the highest levels in their chosen fields. To the many individuals, organisations, community and sporting leaders and people who Pine Harrison Kevin Pryor Yvonne O'Brien have provided sponsorship, expert Chair advice, guidance and voluntary support – our many, many thanks. To my fellow Board members and to our Chief Executive along with his team for their on-going efforts Ron Karaitiana Sir Tamati Reedy Waka Nathan in making this ceremony one of New Zealand’s premier events – Operations ngā mihi tino nui ki a koutou katoa. Kāti, ka nui tāku hari me tāku koa ki te kaupapa o te pō, tēnā koutou katoa. Dick Garratt Desrae Garratt Michelle McGrath Chief Executive Administration Administration Pine Harrison Communications: Kanui Limited Chair Graphic Design: VIRTUALeyes Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust 5 Tonight’s Entertainment Maisey Rika Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Tuhoe, Te Arawa, Te Whānau-ā- Apanui singer, songwriter Whakatāne talent Maisey Rika continues to woo the world – and win acclaim – for her honey-stung vocals and fusion of Māori and English lyrics. This year, Maisey won the coveted APRA Maioha award for her song, Rūaimoko, as well as scooping four of the nine titles in the Open Section at the 2013 National Waiata Māori Music Awards. Her third release and second full-length studio album, Whitiora, debuted at number one on the Kiwi album charts and number five on our international album charts – the highest charting original Māori language album to date in New Zealand history. JGeeks Jermaine Leef Eru Bennett-Paul Marino Taiatini metro-Māori performers Bigger, badder, browner! JGeeks return from a world tour with their eggs factor Māori madness. 6 Tonight’s Entertainment Tama Waipara Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāti Porou musician Tama Waipara’s highly anticipated fourth album, Fill Up The Silence, debuted at number six on the New Zealand music album charts in September this year. The Ōpōtiki old boy graduated from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music with a Master’s in music and performance clarinet, has studied conducting and worked in theatre – notably the hit show, Brel, alongside Jon Toogood, Julia Deans and Jennifer Ward-Lealand. Recorded at Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, New York, Fill Up The Silence fuses traditional, grunty Pacific-infused afro beats with raw vocals and poi rhythms. Whenua Patuwai Ngāi Tūhoe, Rongowhakaata singer Christchurch-based X Factor runner-up, Whenua Patuwai, released his debut single – Something Special – in July this year and has also completed his first nationwide tour in support of Stan Walker. Tūhono Reka Your entertainment band for tonight’s post-awards event. 7 Te Arahi Maipi Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Whawhakia, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Tīpa MC Melodie Robinson Ngāi Tahu Co-presenter Māori Sports Awards 2013 Māori Television celebrates the best in Māori sport with delayed coverage from 9.30 pm tonight Tonight’s Radio Broadcast live from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm 603 AM / Iwi Radio Network Your on-air presenters and reporters: Dale and Lewin Husband Ngāti Maru Rereata Makiha Ngāpuhi, Te Māhurehure, Te Arawa, Rangitāne Rewa Harriman Te Whakatōhea, Te Māhurehure 8 Maori Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Jack Taiaroa Teōne Wiwi ‘Jack’ Taiaroa Ngāi Tahu rugby, cricket, athletics Teōne Wiwi Taiaroa (1862 – 1907) – also known as John or Jack Taiaroa – is among the first of the many standout Māori players who have been a staple in All Black sides for more than a century. Jack grew up in Ōtākou and had a distinguished Kai Tahu whakapapa. His grandfather was the chief, Te Matenga Taiaroa, and his father was Hori Kerei Taiaroa, a long- serving parliamentarian for Southern Māori and a tireless campaigner for Kai Tahu land claims. He trained as a lawyer and practised in Hawke’s Bay for some years before returning to Ōtākou. Jack learnt the art of rugby at Otago Boys High School and represented Otago between 1881 and 1884. 9 He was selected for a nine-match Australian tour in 1884 – the first rugby team to represent New Zealand overseas.