Olympian Dame Lisa Carrington has been the major winner at the 59th Halberg Awards.
Carrington won the Supreme Halberg Award at the awards ceremony in Auckland.
The awards celebrated achievements from 1 December 2019 to 30 November 2021 – a two-year period reflecting the impact of Covid-19 on global sporting competitions.
Carrington claimed three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics was firstly named the Sportswoman of the Year. Following that she was presented the Supreme Halberg Award honours by Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy Kiro.
Dame Sophie Pascoe won the Para Athlete/Team of the Year award in recognition of her haul of two gold, a silver, and bronze medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, the seventh time she has won the category.
The Black Caps were named the Team of the Year for winning the 2021 ICC World Test Championship and becoming the world’s number one ODI-ranked team in the world.
Captain Kane Williamson also won the Sportsman of the Year after leading his team to multiple successes.
Full list of winners and finalists for the 59th ISPS Handa Halberg Awards
Halberg Award winner: Dame Lisa Carrington (canoe racing)
Finalists: Dame Sophie Pascoe (Para swimming), Kane Williamson (cricket), Black Caps (cricket).
Para Athlete/Team of the Year winner: Dame Sophie Pascoe (Para swimming)
Finalists: Anna Grimaldi (Para athletics), Holly Robinson (Para athletics), Lisa Adams (Para athletics), Tupou Neiufi (Para swimming).
Sportsman of the Year winner: Kane Williamson (cricket)
Finalists: Hamish Bond (rowing), Paul Coll (squash), Scott Dixon (motorsport).
Sportswoman of the Year winner: Dame Lisa Carrington (canoe racing)
Finalists: Courtney Duncan (motocross), Emma Twigg (rowing), Lydia Ko (golf), Sarah Hirini (rugby sevens).
Team of the Year winner: Black Caps (cricket)
Finalists: The New Zealand Olympic Women’s Rugby 7’s (rugby sevens), Emirates Team New Zealand (sailing), Rowing Men’s Eight (rowing), Women’s Pair Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast (rowing).
Coach of the Year winner: Gordon Walker (canoe racing)
Finalists: Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney (rugby sevens), Gary Stead (cricket), Tony O’Connor (rowing).
Emerging Talent winner: Erika Fairweather (swimming)
Finalists: Connor Bell (athletics), Cool Wakushima (snowboarding), Grace Nweke (netball), Marko Stamenic (football).
Sport New Zealand Leadership Award winner: Kereyn Smith
New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment winner: Emma Twigg (rowing).
