Halberg Awards finalists revealed: Athletics and snow sports star dominate nominations

The Halberg Awards' supreme trophy. Photo / Photosport

Stars of the track and field and snow have dominated the 32 finalists named for the 63rd Halberg Awards.

This year’s finalists across six categories were voted by a panel of former elite athletes and coaches, sports administrators, and sports media from 59 nominations received.

The winners will be announced on Monday, February 16 at Auckland’s Spark Arena. The awards will be broadcast free-to-air from 8pm on Sky Open and Sky Sport.

Of the 32 finalists in the six categories, 12 have connections to the track an field or the snow.

All finalists for sportswoman, sportsman, team and para-athlete/team are eligible for the supreme award. During the event, the leadership award and New Zealand’s favourite sporting moment will also be announced.

Golfer Dame Lydia Ko was awarded New Zealand’s supreme sporting honour in 2025, but she is not among the finalists for the 2026 prize.

Sportswoman of the Year

Niamh Fisher-Black (cycling road), Sammie Maxwell (cycling-mountain bike), Jorja Miller (rugby union), Alice Robinson (snow sports-alpine ski racing), Erin Routliffe (tennis), Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (snow sports-snowboarding).

Sportsman of the Year

Geordie Beamish (athletics-track), Ryan Fox (golf), Luca Harrington (snow sports-freeskiing), Hamish Kerr (athletics-field), Chris Wood (football).

Para Athlete/Para Team of the Year

Lisa Adams (Para athletics-field), Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics), Devon Briggs (Para cycling-track), Cameron Leslie (swimming), Nicole Murray (Para cycling-track).

Team of the Year

Auckland FC (football), Black Ferns Sevens (rugby sevens), New Zealand Black Sox (softball), New Zealand Kiwis (rugby league), Men’s Team Pursuit: Nick Kergozou, Tom Sexton, Keegan Hornblow and Marshall Erwood (cycling-track), Ben Taylor and Oliver Welch (rowing).

Coach of the Year

Brendon Cameron (Para cycling-track), Hamish McDougall (snow sports-freeski), Mike Rodger (rowing), James Sandilands (athletics), Cory Sweeney (rugby sevens).

Emerging Talent

Lily Greenough (cycling-BMX), Finley Melville Ives (snow sports-freeski), Zoe Pedersen (swimming and surf lifesaving), Sam Ruthe (athletics), Braxton Sorensen-McGee (rugby union).