2018 Blues Awards Winners

Māori Sportsperson of the Year

Madison Doar and Sam Harrison

Madison and Sam both represented New Zealand as members of the triumphant Black Sticks Women’s hockey team who took gold at 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Black Sticks created history by securing an impressive 4-1 defeat of Australia in the Gold Coast Games’ final to return home as champions. This is the first hockey gold medal New Zealand have won at the Commonwealth Games since the sport was introduced to the programme in 1998.

Sportsman of the Year Award

Riley Phillips-Harris

Riley put in an outstanding performance to take home a silver medal at the 2017 International Taekwon-do World Championships. Competing in the -78kg division, Riley fought off tough competition from the world’s best to secure second place. The biennial event is recognised as the premier event on the ITF calendar, attracting 84 teams from 49 countries.  

Sportswoman of the Year Award

Alisa Samountry

Alisa set a New Zealand and Oceania record at the 2018 World Classic Powerlifting Championship with an impressive lift of 190kg. Competing in the 72kg division junior class, Alisa fought off tough competition from the world’s best powerlifters to finish 2nd in the deadlift discipline and 6th overall. The championships is one of the biggest in the International Powerlifting Federation competitions, drawing a field of 750 lifters from 51 nations.

Award for Most Meritorious Performance (Sport)

Stacey Michelsen

Named as Captain of the Black Sticks Women’s hockey team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Stacey led her team to an historic gold at the Gold Coast competition. Shortlisted for International Hockey Federation’s women’s Player of the Year 2017 and with an impressive 250 caps to her name, Stacey was further honoured when she was chosen as New Zealand’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony. 

Award for Most Outstanding Contribution in Service & Leadership

Alexander Kuch

A passionate advocate for children’s rights and international adoptions, Alexander was named a Young New Zealander of the Year semi-finalist in 2018, received the Young Romanian of the Year award 2017/18 and was a Rotary Peace Fellowship finalist in 2017. As an ambassador and board director for ‘I’m Adopted’, Alex plays a key role in the non-for-profit organisation, which aims to re-connect people with their birth families and provide resources to help make the adoption process a positive experience.  

Award for Most Meritorious Performance in Arts and Cultural 

Siyu Sun

Siyu is a highly gifted pianist and has been recognised at a number of national and international competitions. Outstanding performances saw Siyu secure notable placings at a range of high-profile competitions including; first prize at the 2017 New Zealand National Concerto Competition, 2nd prize at the 2017 Wallace National Piano Competition and 4th prize at the Australian 2017 Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition.