The Kawenata Awards is a prestigious annual event that celebrates contribution and achievement across all sectors of Te Nehenehenui. It is also the symbolic flagship of the 1904 Kawenata (Covenant) of Ngāti Maniapoto me ōna hapū maha inaugurated at the Māhoenui residence of Te Rangituataka Tākerei on Friday 1st January 1904.
Congratulations to all recipients of the 2022 Kawenata Awards!
To view the livestream held Friday 2nd December 2022, head to the Te Nehenehenui Facebook page.
Aroha Award receipients:
| Security: Wardens, Mediation, Police | Synoma Takitimu |
| Hospitality: Wharekai, Catering, Accommodation | Te Kūiti Pā (Leesah Murray) |
| Community Services: Librarian, Museum, Information Centre, Society, Foodbank | Tyler Ross |
| Charitable: Marae, Tribal, Religion, Community, Fire Service, St John | Heath Barnsdall |
| Environment: Land, Ocean, Forest, Air | Shakyra Te Aho |
Whakapono Award recipients:
| Research: Genealogy, History, Taonga Preservation, Restoration | Dr Rangituatahi Te Kanawa |
| Administration: Office, Tribal, Marae | Te Kura Rautau |
| Science: Astronomy, Matariki, Meteorological | Dr Rangituatahi Te Kanawa |
| Cultivation: Farming, Horticulture, Hydroponic, Organic | Piopio Berry Orchard Mike & Angela Roy |
| Sport: Physical Activity, Inclusive Activity, Traditional Sport, Hunting, Fishing | Phillip Coffin |
Ture Award recipients:
| Business: Entrepreneur, Management, Trade | Pou Digital (Peke Tupaea Manawaiti & Makea Piahana) |
| Education: Kōhanga Reo, Early Learning, Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Alternative | Pam Voyce |
| Politics: Tribal Governance, Marae Governance, Local Governance, National Governance | Danielle Nikora |
| Wellness: General Practitioner, Health Provider, Hospital, Medical | Rodney Ross |
| Emergency Services: Ambulance, Fire, Police, Earthquake, Tsunami, Search & Rescue | Robert Maikuku |
Māoritanga Award recipients:
| Creative Arts: Raranga, Whakairo, Visual Arts, Wearable, Photography, Film | Jerome Kavanagh Poutama |
| Ambassadorial: Te Reo, Tikanga, Legislation, Religion | Jenny May Clarkson |
| Te Reo: Marae, Home School, Workplace, Public Reo Speaking, On-air, On-Screen | Paraone Gloyne |
| Tikanga: Marae, Home, School, Workplace | Kathryn Kahu McClintock |
| Media & Journalism: Newspaper, Magazine, On-air, Online, On-screen | Wikitōria Day |
Kotahitanga Award recipients:
| Events: Tribal, Urban, Rural, Community | Heath Barnsdall |
| Performing Arts: Group or Individual, Hip Hop, Kapa Haka, Band | Eddie Elliott |
| Defense Force: Army, Navy, Airforce, Whare Tūtauā | Claude Wehi (Snr) |
| Innovation: Product, Process, Business Model | Pou Digital (Peke Tupaea Manawaiti & Makea Piahana) |
| Tribal Service: King Movement, Religion, Events, Negotiation | Māhia Green |
Te Rangituataka Supreme Award:
| Supreme Award | Tū Tāwhiao (Tutu) Ormsby |
Ngā Mētara o Te Rōpū Whakahaere
| Te Mētara o Pepene Eketone | Corey Stephens |
| Te Mētara o Hone Ōmipi | Tom Roa |
| Te Mētara o Hari Hemara-Wahanui | Michelle Wi |
| Te Mētara o Moerua Nātanahira | Michael Frawley |
| Te Mētara o Henare Matengaro Hetete | Aroha Wehi-King |
| Te Mētara o Hone Taonui Hetete | Annette Waretini |