The Supreme Halberg Award was presented to golfing icon Dame Lydia Ko at the 62nd ISPS Handa Halberg Awards ceremony in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, last night. Ko, who also won Sportswoman of the Year, emerged victorious from a competitive field that included defending Supreme winner Dame Lisa Carrington, track cyclist Ellesse Andrews, cricket star Amelia Kerr, top-ranked doubles tennis player Erin Routliffe, and rowing champion Emma Twigg.
The evening showcased excellence across eight categories:
High jumper Hamish Kerr claimed Sportsman of the Year for his 2024 achievements, including gold medals at both Paris and the World Indoor Championships. He prevailed over finalists including Olympic kayak cross champion Finn Butcher, triathlete Hayden Wilde, EPL Player of the Month Chris Wood, and leading jockey James McDonald.
The Para Athlete of the Year Award went to Anna Grimaldi, who secured New Zealand’s only Paralympic gold in Paris. Fellow finalists included two-time Paralympic silver medalist Danielle Aitchison, Para cyclists Anna Taylor and Nicole Murray, and Para athletics world champion William Stedman.
Making history, the Women’s K4 sprint kayak team (Dame Lisa Carrington, Alicia Hoskin, Olivia Brett, and Tara Vaughan) became the first non-European crew to win Olympic gold, earning them Team of the Year honors. Other nominees included the Black Ferns Sevens, Emirates Team New Zealand, rowing duo Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis, and the WHITE FERNS cricket team.
Gordon Walker secured his sixth Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year award for his work in canoe racing. Rising football star Tyler Bindon, who plays for Reading F.C. and the national team, received the Sky Sport Emerging Talent Award.
Marcus Daniell was recognised with the Sport New Zealand Leadership Award for his athlete advocacy and philanthropy. Michael Hynard received the inaugural Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award for his lifelong commitment to advancing disability sport.
The public’s Favourite Sporting Moment went to Finn Butcher’s emotional tribute to his father following his Paris gold medal victory.
The Halberg Awards serve a dual purpose as both a celebration of sporting excellence and the primary fundraiser for the Halberg Foundation, which works to ensure young New Zealanders with physical disabilities can access sport and recreation.
