Terry Richardson - 1967 - living in Victoria
Bryan Corlett - 1968 - living in Malta
Brett Tobeck - 1986 - living in West. Australia
Shane Miles - 1991 - living in New Plymouth
Joe Cronin - 1977 - living in Whangamata

Former Taranaki all-rounder Ethan Bolstad signed off in style with a blazing, unbeaten 183 for his club side in a Taranaki premier grade match on Saturday.

Bolstad's innings included 18 fours and five sixes and came off 143 balls as New Plymouth Marist United raced through to 394 against Stratford at New Plymouth's Lynmouth Park.

Even more staggering was the fact that the 22-year-old came in at No 7, sharing a 130-run stand for the seventh wicket with Ryan Watson who made 47.

Getting just as much attention from the audience for doing significantly less prancing around were the Taranaki Man of the Year contestants.

It was the first year of the competition, which was open to Taranaki blokes aged from 18 to 80, and had the men complete a range of challenges to take the top spot.

Neil Hocken, an electrician from Egmont Village, aced the activities - the last of which included simultaneously building a sawhorse, waxing legs and barbecuing a steak.

"The hardest bit was probably icing the cake and folding a fitted sheet. I don't think anyone can do that," Mr Hocken said.

But he really won the title by turning a tricky question to his advantage.

When he was asked to sum up his thoughts on world peace, he said: "Taranaki's the best piece of the world!"

The cheering crowd appreciated the sentiment and Mr Hocken had the crown in the bag from that moment.