Cliff Curtis reigns supreme at inaugural Matariki Awards

Cliff Curtis reigns supreme at inaugural Matariki Awards

Following a run of success in Hollywood, actor Cliff Curtis has been welcomed home with Te Tohu Tiketike o Matariki Supreme Award at the inaugural Matariki Awards.

The star studded evening in Auckland’s War Memorial Museum organised by Māori Television in partnership with Te Puni Kōkiri celebrates and honours extraordinary Māori talent and achievement across a broad range of fields and industries.

Curtis takes home the Supreme Award for his outstanding commitment to Aotearoa and kaupapa Māori. He has also won the Te Waipuna-a-Rangi Award for Arts and Entertainment.

Young All Blacks sensation Nehe Milner-Skudder claims Te Waita Award for Sport. Last year the 25-year-old was chosen as the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year and helped New Zealand retain the Rugby World Cup.

Television presenter Scotty Morrison gains Te Waiti Award for Te Reo & Tikanga. Along with his work in Māori broadcasting, Morrison launched his second te reo book in 2015, ‘Māori Made Easy’.

IronMāori has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on Māori health with more than 35,000 people taking part in its endurance activities. The company gains Te Tupu-a-Rangi Award for Health & Science.

Eighteen-year-old Northlander Ezekiel Raui takes home the Matariki Young Achievers Award for his continuous effort in supporting youth mental health issues. Last year his work took him all the way to the White House to meet United States President Barrack Obama.

Successful Māori owned dairy company Miraka Limited wins Te Tupu-a-Nuku Award
for Business & Innovation. Miraka won the inaugural 2015 He Kai Kei Aku Ringa Award for Māori Excellence in Export at the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Awards.

Acclaimed Waikato professor Linda Smith takes Te Ururangi Award for Education. In 2015 she received the McKenzie Award for her significant contribution to Kaupapa Māori research.

Hosted by Stacey Morrison and Matai Smith, the awards ceremony featured live performances by Ria Hall and The Modern Māori Quartet.

Conveyer of judges and Māori Television CEO Paora Maxwell says the calibre of this year’s winners at the first ever Matariki Awards is inspiring to behold.

“It’s wonderful to celebrate the success right across the board. Every finalist has made an incredible contribution in their respective fields of endeavour; Nga mihi kamehameha ki a koutou katoa . Maori TV is both proud and humbled to be associated with the Matariki Awards and with the support of our partners, Te Puni Kokiri, we look forward to the awards becoming an annual event.”

ENDS

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