Ngā Tohu Kahurangi 2023

Blues Awards 2023

The Blues Awards are part of a tradition from England. The blue colours of Oxford and Cambridge Universities came to symbolise sporting excellence. 

While a Blues Award has traditionally been a sporting accolade, there are now four categories of the award at the University of Auckland:

Sports
Arts and Cultural
Service and Leadership
Innovation

This year, a whopping 164 Blues and nine major awards were presented to winners on 6 October. Find out who in the University community walked away with the major awards this year. 

Major Award Winners

Award for the Most Meritorious Innovation

Luke Davis 

Luke, representing the University of Auckland, excelled in three international case competitions. He secured fourth place at the 2022 Thammasat Undergraduate Business Challenge, third place at the 2023 Champions’ Trophy International Case Competition, and claimed first place, along with the people’s choice award, at the 2023 USC Marshall International Case Competition.

Award for the Most Outstanding Contribution (Service and Leadership)

Sarina Todd 

Sarina, co-founder/director of Women in STEM NZ, is a champion for STEM education and gender equity. Her digital resource, womeninstem.co.nz, featuring interviews with prominent women in STEM leadership, has inspired thousands. Sarina’s efforts in organising Enginuity Day and conducting robotics workshops earned her an AIMES Emerging Talent Award.  

Most Meritorious Performance (Arts and Cultural)

Shreya Gayatri Gejji 

A talented filmmaker, Shreya’s debut short film “Perianayaki” premiered at the New Zealand International Film Festival, earning her four national awards, including Best New Zealand Film. The film also received recognition at prestigious international festivals. Shreya contributed as a screenwriter to the anthology feature film “Kāinga,” further showcasing her storytelling prowess. 

Major Māori Award

Madeline Shelling

Dominating at the CrossFit Games, Madeline’s New Zealand team secured an impressive sixth place out of 40 elite teams. The team showed their exceptional teamwork and determination at the renowned competition in Wisconsin. This was an outstanding achievement among the world’s top athletes in CrossFit. 

Pasifika Major Award

Toesulu Fitzpatrick 

A stalwart for the Silver Ferns and Northern Mystics, Sulu’s leadership and netball skills shone in 2023. Guiding the Mystics to an ANZ Premiership title in her farewell season, she also brought her prowess to the Netball World Cup in South Africa as a vital asset to the Silver Ferns.

Sportsman of the Year

William McKenzie 

William has demonstrated excellence in sailing and his skilful navigation led to a remarkable fourth place finish at the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 World Championships. William’s dedication was evident at the Junior 49er World Championships in Italy, where he secured a notable fourth place, adding to his successful year.

Sportswoman of the Year and Most Meritorious Performance (Sport)

Theresa Fitzpatrick

Theresa emerged victorious in the 2021 Rugby World Cup (held in 2022 due to Covid-19) with the Black Ferns. Her impactful tries in the semis and final helped secure the title. Adding to her achievements, Theresa triumphed in the World Sevens Series with the Black Fern sevens and earned a nomination for the 2022 World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year.  

Para-athlete Sportsperson of the Year Award

Patricia Louise Walsh 

Excelling in para-athletics, Paddy’s participation in the New Zealand Para Tour of Canberra was a standout. She achieved the World Championship minimum entry standards in long jump and 100m (T64 category), setting a new New Zealand record in the long jump.  

See the full list of winners in for the 2023 Blues Awards here.