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2026 Tararua Sports Awards



2026 Tararua Sports Awards

(The qualifying period is 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025. All nominations must reflect performances within this period).

Date: Friday 20 March 2026
Time: starts at 6.30pm
Venue: Tui Brewery Flagon Room, Mangatainoka

Tickets SOLD OUT!

Thanks Tararua for a sold out night!

The Tararua District Sports Awards recognise outstanding achievement and serve as a testament to the enduring passion and commitment to excellence within the local sporting landscape.


CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 WINNERS

The 2026 Tararua Sports Awards were held on Friday 20th March 2026 at the Tui Brewery Flagon Room. Congratulations to the winners below. Scroll to the bottom of this page for the event photos.

Bush Telegraph Administrator/Volunteer of the Year 
Highly Commended: Kyla Lyons (Kyokushin Karate) 
Winner: Karen Cuming (Indoor Bowls)

MCI & Associates Official of the Year
Winner: Liam Brown (Rugby) 

The Activate Gym Community Active Recreation and Play Initiative of the Year 
Highly Commended: Matt Fryer - Eketāhuna Training Shed (Running and Active Recreation)  
Winner: Tararua College Students (Athletics) 

Sport Manawatū Inclusion Award
​​​​​​​Winner: Tararua College CACTUS (Fitness and Wellbeing)

Sport Manawatū Coach of the Year Award
Highly Commended: Rocky Hape-Taite (Basketball and Netball)
Winner: Aidan Lyons (Kyokushin Karate)

Property Brokers Team of the Year
​​​​​​​Winner: Tararua College Boys 1st XI Hockey Team 

Visique Optometrists Club of the Year
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Winner: Whangaimokopuna Dojo (Kyokushin Karate)

Scanpower Junior Sportsman of the Year
Highly Commended: Jamie Monaghan (Volleyball) 
Winner: Brodie Bennett (Squash) 

Ngāti Kahungunu kI Tāmaki nui-a-Rua Junior Sportswoman of the Year
Highly Commended: Maddie France (Clay Target Shooting) 
Winner: Hannah Donald (Hockey)


Tararua District Council
LEGEND OF SPORT

Winner: Rebecca Mahoney (Rugby and Rugby Referee)

​​​​​​​Tararua District Council
SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

Winner: Jarna Mihaere (Strongman)
Highly Commended: Laura Bradley (Shearing) 

Tararua District Council
SUPREME SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

Winner: Brodie Bennett (Squash)

Thank you to our sponsors

Check out the photos below taken by Kim Sargent Photography. Click on an image for a larger view.