It highlights a group of individuals that have helped put Porirua on the map with their contributions in the sporting, arts and political fields. Read below about some of the inspirational people from this city who we recognise, and whose number we will be looking to add to over time. In March 2020 this area became formally known as the Porirua Hall of Fame
Ellinore Ginn, Neil Ieremia, James Henry Whittaker and TJ Perenara. - In the corridor of the ground floor of Te Rauparaha Arena and has photos of 12 people who have made a lasting impact on Porirua.
New Zealand's most successful female weightlifter in the Commonwealth and Olympic games. At the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Baker was awarded a silver medal in the 75+kg snatch and bronze medals for the 75+kg clean and jerk and the 75+kg combined. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics Baker finished eighth in the 75kg combined category. Olympic.org.nz
Turned professional in 1993, competing on the PGA Tour of Australasia & European Tour. In 2001 he received an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit Award for his services to golf. 2005 he won the US Open Championship at Pinehurst, holding off Tiger Woods. Became the fourth player to win the US Open and the World Match Play Championship in the same year. 2005 he was named European Tour Golfer of the Year and NZ Sportsperson of the Year.
Captained the New Zealand Secondary Schools in 1997, played for New Zealand U19, 1998 & 1999, captained his Northern United club team in 1999 (aged 19), played for the New Zealand Colts in 1999 & 2000, and appeared for New Zealand A in 2000. Collins made 74 appearances for the Hurricanes between 2001 & 2008. After debuting for the All Blacks in 2001, went on to play 48 test matches, scoring five tries and captaining three matches. Hurricanes.co.nz
An all-rounder cricket player who played 61 test and 11 one-day internationals from 1965 to 1978, Congdon was principally a batsman but also became a medium-pace bowler midway through his career. He was captain of the New Zealand Test and ODI teams from 1972 to 1974, and was the first New Zealand captain to record a victory over Australia.
Ellinore dedicated her life to theatre and acting, being the founder of Titahi Bay (later Porirua) Little Theatre. Her later life saw her charity work bloom, along with her painting prowess.
Grace began writing early, while teaching and raising her family of seven children. She has since won many national and international awards, including the Kiriyama Pacific Rim Book Prize for Fiction, the Deutz Medal for Fiction, and the Neustadt International Prize for Literature. In 2007 Grace was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to literature. Read-nz.org
Kenny won the gold medal in the super heavyweight (+91 kg division) boxing division at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland. He also represented New Zealand at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Olypmpic.org.nz
Since 2002 Knox has written 13 novels, three novellas, and a collection of essays. She has won both national and international literature awards. In 2019 she was awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Literary Achievement and 2020 Knox was named in the Queen Birthday Honours, as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Elizabethknox.com
Marshall served as a Labour MP for Whanganui for 18 years. In the late 1980s he was a Cabinet Minister, his portfolios including Conservation, Education, Environment, Foreign Affairs and Pacific Island Affairs. Between 2002 and 2005 Marshall was the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Nigeria and Ambassador to Ireland.
Mourie was regarded as one of the world's best openside flankers through the 1970s and early 1980s, making 61 appearances for the All Blacks. He captained the All Blacks in 57 matches until 1982, which included the historic Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland in 1978. After his playing career, He coached Wellington from 1997-1999, before coaching the Hurricanes in 2000 and 2001. Hurricanes.co.nz
Rex Redden was crowned world welterweight kickboxing champion in 2002 and would win the World Muay Thai Kickboxing title in the next two years. He always promoted the sport and wanted to bring kickboxing events to his hometown, Porirua.
So’oialo was part of the New Zealand U21 side which won the international tournament in Auckland in 2000 and then in 2001 was in the New Zealand 7s side that won the World Cup in Argentina and the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. A hard-working flanker, he made 101 appearances for the Hurricanes. He also made 62 test appearances for the All Blacks between 2002 and 2009.
Tricker played for Porirua until he was 22, then moved to Poneke Kilbirnie, claiming regional and national titles. He also played for the Black Sox between 1986 and 1991. Tricker was named Black Sox coach in 1998, where they won two world championships and three consecutive world titles. He was named coach of the year in 2000 and was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004.
This page profiles the many men and women who have represented Porirua in their chosen (and, sometimes, multiple) sports.
