16 Sep 2012

Te Arawa kaumatua recognised for contribution to mau rakau

1:28 pm on 16 September 2012

A Te Arawa kaumatua is to be recognised for his commitment to the martial art mau rakau at this year's National Waiata Maori Music Awards.

Mita Mohi will be given the Keeper of Traditions Awards at a ceremony held in Hastings on 14 September.

Mau rakau is the art of mastering Maori weapons such as a short club or patu and taiaha, a spear-like weapon.

Mohi, who lives in Rotorua, has run multiple wananga or Taiaha wananga throughout the country for 35 years as well as creating workshops for some New Zealand prisons.

His award features in the non-judging section, along with three other awards, including the Lifetime Contribution to Maori Music Award.

There are eight open categories, which include Best Traditional Album, best Maori Male and Female Solo Artist and Best Maori Songwriter.

The annual event has been running for five years.