January 03, 2013
TVNZ celebrating the sweet kumara
Some of those who featured in the New Year’s Honours list are also in line for Māori of the Year awards.
Ngā Toa Whakaihuwaka, which are run by TVNZ’s Marae Investigates, will be broadcast in a one-hour special on Waitangi Day.
Waikato University Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, who was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, is a finalist in the Education Category, along with retired Massey University Professor Sir Mason Durie and Te Wānanga ō Aotearoa Chief Executive Bentham Ohia.
Actor Rawiri Paratene ONZM is a finalist in the Arts Category with singer Ria Hall and broadcaster and writer Chris Winitana.
Another new member of the order, kayaker Lisa Carrington, contests the sporting section with canoeist Storm Uru and paralympic gold medal swimmer Cameron Leslie.
Nominations for the Te Reo and Tikanga Category include the Hika Group, Rotorua Educationlist Dr Cathy Dewes and Associate Professors Poia Rewi (Otago) and Rawinia Higgins (Victoria University), who are leading a three-year Ngā Pae ō Te Maramatanga study on how the language contributes to economic development, cultural identity and social cohesion.
Nominations in the Health Category are Helen Herbert, who runs a national programme to prevent rheumatic fever in Māori communities, Massey University researcher Dr Janice Wenn, and outspoken Kaitaia GP Dr Lance O’Sullivan.
Massey University School of Public Health head Cindy Kiro, Fire Service National Māori advisor Piki Thomas and Nelson rapper Darci Goldsworthy, who has challenged the growth of gambling machines in his region, are in the running for the Ratonga Hapori-Community Service award.
The Rangatahi award is between Kerikeri High School, Johnson Rapata Tumai Totorewa, Tama Te Waiwhakaruku Hata.
Dr Ocean Mercier, Microsoft and Kapenga M Trust are in the running for the Te Ao Hangarau-Science and Innovation section, and the Business Award winner will be either NZ Manuka Honey, Kiwifruit Cooperative Te Awanui Hukapak or businessman Christopher Mace.
Awards Executive Producer Paora Maxwell says it’s appropriate to celebrate Māori success on the national day.
“Māori often find it hard to talk about how sweet their kumara is but we at Marae Investigates believe it’s important for outstanding achievement to be recognised,” he says.
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