Tanerau Latimer was named the Mighty River Power Junior Maori Sportsman of the year for the second year running at the 2005 Maori Sports Awards, which was held on 17 December at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau.
During 2005 the 19-year-old rugby star made his Air New Zealand NPC debut for the Bay of Plenty Steamers, helped the New Zealand Sevens team win their sixth IRB International Sevens rugby title and was named in the Crusaders Super 14 squad.
The two other finalists for the Mighty River Power Junior Maori Sportsman of the year were Morehu Roberts and Shannon McIlroy. Morehu who is from Raglan, finished 7th in the World Junior Surfing Championships (Under 18 Boys) in California while Shannon McIlroy who is from Gisborne, won a Bronze Medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendingo, Australia, for lawn bowls.
Mighty River Power General Manager External Affairs Neil Williams says Mighty River Power is delighted to be involved in recognising the achievements of young Maori sportsmen.
“The nominees have all achieved outstanding success in their chosen sport and we are pleased to be able to continue to help recognise these achievements.
“Tanerau is obviously an extremely talented athlete who has a long and successful sporting career in front of him. We wish him, Shannon and Morehu all the best in their future sporting endeavours.”
Previous winners and finalists of the Mighty River Power Junior Maori Sportsman of the year include Benji Marshall, Michael Walker, Lance Hohaia and Luke McAlister who, like Tanerau, also won the award consecutively.