Pole-vaulter Eliza McCartney has won the Emerging Talent award.
10:18pm:
The Radio Sport Sporting Moment of the year was Grant Elliott's six to win the Cricket World Cup Semi-Final against South Africa.
10:00pm:
Golfing great Lydia Ko has been named as Sportswoman of the Year for a third consecutive year.
The honour follows immediately after she was named Young New Zealander of the Year last night at an awards ceremony at the Langham, Auckland.
She beat out swimmer Lauren Boyle, cyclist Linda Villumsen and canoeist Lisa Carrington to take the top spot.
9:50pm:
The All Blacks have been named New Zealand's sport team of the year.
Richie McCaw gave a speech saying "everyone did everything they could" to take away the world cup.
Steve Hansen said the other teams nominated were "all fantastic teams". He thanked the wives and partners of the team members for their contribution.
9:46pm:
Para-Swimmer, Sophie Pascoe wins the award for disabled sportsperson of the year, ahead of Para-Skiier Corey Peters, Para-Shooter Michael Johnson and fellow Para-Swimmer Nikita Howarth.
She wasn't at the ceremony but gave a speech via video. She said she's "super excited" for Rio
9.30pm:
Kane Williamson has claimed the hotly-contested sportsman of the year prize after a stellar 2015 saw him rise to the top of the world.
The Black Cap excelled in all three formats, being ranked as the No 1 test batsman in the world late last year, and featured strongly as New Zealand made their first Cricket World Cup final.
Williamson saw off competition from Dan Carter, named World Rugby player of the year after the All Blacks defended the Web Ellis Cup, as well as Scot Dixon, who took his fourth IndyCar title, and golfer Danny Lee, who enjoyed his best year on the PGA Tour.
9.21pm:
Four Kiwi greats have just been inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. The late Sir Don Rowlands was first, with the widow of the 1954 Empire Games gold medal-winning rower accepting the plaudits.
Next were three of a more recent vintage, with Lance O'Sullivan (horseracing), Lesley Rumball (netball) and Mark Sorenson (softball) all enshrined in the hall.
9.16pm:
9.06pm:
Ashley Taylor has just been recognised with the lifetime achievement award for services to athletics, and now Scotty Stevenson is interviewing Eliza McCartney in the crowd.
The pole vaulter, who broke a world junior record in December, will be up for the emerging talent award later in the evening.
8.57pm:
8.52pm:
Brendon McCullum has just been given the Halberg leadership award after being introduced by Sport NZ chief executive Peter Miskimmin. The trophy recognises all McCullum has done for the Black Caps throughout his career, which will next week come to a close at the conclusion of the second test against Australia.
8.43pm:
Steve Hansen has claimed the first award of the evening, being named coach of the year after guiding the All Blacks to Rugby World Cup glory.
Hansen saw off stiff competition from Mike Hesson, who took the Black Caps to the Cricket World Cup final, Gordon Walker, who coached Lisa Carrington to another world title, and Hamish Willcox, who did likewise for sailors Peter Burling and Blair Tuke.
Hansen's win over Hesson and the sailors, especially, must presage well for the All Blacks' chances in the team of the year category, to be awarded later tonight.
8.38pm:
The show has begun with a montage of all the Kiwi success stories from throughout the world of sports in 2015, with the dulcet tones of Sam Neill narrating. And, after a moment to recognise the fallen Jonah Lomu, we now have presenters Eric Young and Hayley Holt on stage.
8.20pm:
While waiting for the action to begin, why not prep yourself about the award front-runners with our preview...
The big Halberg debate: Who takes the supreme award
8.10pm:
We're about 20 minutes away from the awards being handed out, as all the guests settle into their seats after their moment on the red carpet.
7.40pm:
7:05pm:
Sir Murray Halberg is not in attendance at the awards which bear his name. The athletics great is at home tonight recovering from recent surgery, but he's wishing everyone well.
7.00pm:
6.50pm:
6.40pm:
Welcome to the nzherald.co.nz live coverage of the 53rd Halberg Awards at Vector Arena in downtown Auckland, where our nation's sporting elite will be celebrated and pitted against one another.
It's a hot and humid evening in Auckland, with the glamorous guests beginning to file their way into the venue ahead of the 8pm awards show.:
