Sport Manawatū

18/06/2026

👏 Congratulations to the winners of the Service & Community Impact Awards, at the 2026 Sport Manawatū Regional Sports Awards

This category recognises the people and organisations whose dedication, leadership, and service help sport thrive across our region. Let's shine an extra spotlight on these recipients, as we celebrate !

From the countless hours behind the scenes to the initiatives that bring communities together - these awards celebrate the foundation of sport in Manawatū.

Congratulations to our 2026 winners:
🏅 Central Energy Trust Administrator of the Year – Vanessa Hodge
🏅 Sport Manawatū Grassroots Volunteer of the Year – Craig Turner
🏅 Rotary Club of Palmerston North Community Impact of the Year – ACROSS Social Services
🏅 Robèrt Embroideries Club of the Year – Manawatū Skating Club
🏅 Trophy Specialists & Engraving Ltd Sports Partner of the Year – Subway (Paul Boness)

Your passion, commitment, and impact are what make sport stronger, more connected, and more accessible for everyone.

17/06/2026

Great to see ongoing investment into our region’s facilities 👏
Projects like this help ensure our venues continue to support quality sport and community experiences for years to come. Thanks Palmerston North City Council.

We're replacing over 5,000 embankment seats around the Arena 1 Oval - with sustainability front in mind.

These seats have been in place for more than 25 years and have started to oxidise and become brittle due to years of sun exposure.

This project is a great example of collaboration across Council, bringing together expertise from our project delivery, Venues + Events, and waste minimisation teams to find the best outcome for both Arena and our community.

Stage one is now underway, with 2,375 seats being replaced in the next month or so, with the remaining seats scheduled for later this year. The new seats are being manufactured locally by Mouldings Unlimited in Fielding - and because Council owns the moulds, we can continue replacing seats efficiently into the future.

Even better, almost everything removed from site is being recycled or repurposed.
The old plastic seats are being turned into recycled products like rubbish bag, rollers, and outdoor furniture
Timber supports are finding new life as planter boxes and garden edging
Steel bolts and fixings are also being recycled

A great result for the Arena - and for waste minimisation in Palmerston North.

16/06/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Sport Manawatū Regional Sports Awards - People & Pathway Winners 👏

This category is all about the people behind the scenes and on the sidelines - the coaches, officials, teams, and individuals who help sport thrive. It recognises those who remind us that sport is ultimately about people - creating opportunities, building confidence, and inspiring the next generation.

Congratulations to our 2026 winners:
🏅 Manawatū District Council Official of the Year – David Tomlinson
🏅 Team of the Year – MANUKURA Women’s Rugby
🏅 Manawatu & TRC Toyota Coach of the Year – Kristina Sue
🏅 St Dominic's School for the Deaf Disabled Sportsperson of the Year (Intellectual) – Ryan Smith
🏅 St Dominic's School for the Deaf Disabled Sportsperson of the Year (Physical) – Guy Harrison
🏅 Sport Manawatū Recognition of Resilience - Josh Hartwell

Your impact goes far beyond results - you’re shaping positive sporting experiences and creating pathways for others to follow.

15/06/2026

D-Swim Manawatū have a Disability Swim Group, held every Thursday 6:30-7:30pm at the Lido Aquatic Centre - All disabilities and ages are welcome!

14/06/2026

This week we’re celebrating National Volunteer Week! 🙌

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers across our sporting and active recreation communities. We truly appreciate everything you do, and it does not go unnoticed.

If you see your coach, umpire, manager, or someone else who gives their time to make your sport possible, make sure you say thank you and let them know you appreciate them this week 💚

13/06/2026

Congratulations to our winners of the Performance and Elite Sport awards, at the Sport Mananwatū 2026 Regional Sports Awards.

Among a strong field of high-quality finalists, these athletes delivered some of the very best performances from across our region. They have represented their sports, clubs, and Manawatū with pride on the regional, national, and international stage.

Among the evening’s top honours, Kaipo Olsen-Baker was named Palmerston North City Council Female Sportsperson of the Year, Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua Māori Sportsperson of the Year, and Central Energy Trust Supreme Sportsperson of the Year.

Dane Cleaver was named Harcourts Manawatu Male Sportsperson of the Year, while Reuben Rose was awarded the Ricoh New Zealand Limited Male Junior Sportsperson of the Year and Maia Davis took out the Snap Fitness Palmerston North Female Junior Sportsperson of the Year.

Congratulations to all our winners.

11/06/2026

🏆 Celebrating grassroots to greatness - what a night!

Last night, the Manawatū, Tararua and Horowhenua communities came together to celebrate the incredible people who make sport in our region so special.

It was a night that celebrated more than results. It honoured the countless hours behind the scenes, the support networks that help our people succeed, and the passion and pride that sport brings to our region.

A special congratulations to our 2026 Legends of Sport inductees - Jacob Oram, Ian Gray, Alan Adamson and Steve Stannard, recognised for their lasting contribution and impact.

Among the evening’s top honours, Kaipo Olsen-Baker was named Central Energy Trust Supreme Sportsperson of the Year, Palmerston North City Council Female Sportsperson of the Year, and Te Pae Oranga o Ruahine o Tararua Māori Sportsperson of the Year.

Congratulations also to Dane Cleaver, Harcourts Team Manawatū Male Sportsperson of the Year, Reuben Rose, Ricoh Male Junior Sportsperson of the Year, and Maia Davis, Snap Fitness Female Junior Sportsperson of the Year.

Thank you to our sponsors for supporting these awards, and congratulations to all winners, finalists, nominees, and everyone who continues to contribute to sport across our region.

This is where grassroots meets greatness!

10/06/2026

The excitement is building – just 1 day to go until the Sport Manawatū Regional Sports Awards! 🏆Stay tuned for our winner announcements!