Introducing the first seven of our 21 inspiring and deserving finalists for the Maori Television and Te Puni Kōkiri Inaugural Matariki Awards 2016: Arts + Entertainment - Cliff Curtis (Te Arawa, Ngāti Hauiti); Business +Innovation - Tahu Pōtiki (Ngāi Tahu Tourism); Young Achievers - Faine Maniapoto-Kahia (Ngāti Tūwharetoa); Reo + Tikanga - Scotty Morrison (Ngāti Whakaue, Te Arawa); Health + Science - Huhana Hickey (Waikato-Tainui); Education - Linda Tuhiwai Smith (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou); Sport - Lisa Carrington (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki)
The Awards celebrate outstanding Māori success and achievement in a range of fields from the sciences to the arts. The presentation of the Awards will be held at a gala event for 200 guests at Auckland Museum, recorded and featured within 24-hours of the Awards Ceremony.