Hamish Kerr has claimed New Zealand’s highest sporting honour this evening, winning the Supreme Halberg Award.
High jump superstar Hamish Kerr has claimed New Zealand’s highest sporting honour this evening, winning the Supreme Halberg Award at the 63rd ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards ceremony in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
Kerr, who also secured the ISPS HANDA Sportsman of the Year title earlier in the evening, capped off an extraordinary year in which he dominated on the world stage and cemented his place among New Zealand’s sporting greats. Kerr, took the crown over athletics team mate Geordie Beamish; Freeski Big Air World Champion Luca Harrington; footballer Chris Wood and golfer Ryan Fox.
The evening brought together New Zealand’s finest athletes, teams, and leaders across eight major award categories, celebrating excellence, resilience, and the moments that inspired the nation throughout 2025.
Snow sports icon Zoi Sadowski-Synnott was named 2degrees Sportswoman of the Year, adding yet another accolade to her already remarkable career. Sadowski-Synnott triumphed in a highly competitive field including global champions across cycling – Sammie Maxwell and Niamh Fisher-Black; tennis – Erin Routliffe, and rugby – Jorja Miller.
Paralympic sprint star Danielle Aitchison was awarded the ISPS HANDA Para Athlete/Para Team of the Year Award, recognised for her stellar results on the track at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships. Other finalists included fellow Para athletics team mate Lisa Adams, Para track cyclists Nicole Murray and Devon Briggs and Para swimmer Cameron Leslie.
After a season of unmatched global success, the Black Ferns Sevens were crowned the ISPS HANDA Team of the Year. Their achievements across the 2024–25 HSBC SVNS World Series and the SVNS World Championship saw them rise above an impressive lineup of team finalists including Auckland FC, world champion men’s rowing pair Ben Taylor and Oliver Welch; the men’s team pursuit track cycling squad of Nick Kergozou, Tom Sexton, Keegan Hornblow and Marshall Erwood; the New Zealand Kiwis and the New Zealand Black Sox.
Athletics coach James Sandilands, who guided Hamish Kerr through one of the best seasons of his career, was named Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year – his first win in this category.
The Sky Sport Emerging Talent Award was presented to Sam Ruthe, who made history as the youngest person ever to run a sub-four-minute mile, marking him as one of New Zealand’s most exciting rising stars. Other finalists in the Emerging Talent category included World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year Braxton Sorensen-McGee; Junior golf champion Cooper Moore; UCI BMX Junior Elite World Champion Lily Greenough; Freeski Halfpipe World Champion Finley Melville Ives; Zoe Pedersen, for an exceptional year across swimming and surf lifesaving.
Sport administrator and international leader Katie Sadleir received the Sport New Zealand Leadership Award, recognising her influential contributions to global sport and her longstanding dedication to athlete wellbeing and equity.
In a special moment of the evening, Kat Mueller was honoured with the Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award in partnership with CityFitness, acknowledging her significant work championing inclusive sport and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities across Aotearoa.
New Zealand’s public voted Eroni Clark singing the National Anthem ahead of the All Blacks match, moving son Caleb to tears as their favourite sporting moment of 2025, proudly presented in partnership with Generate.
The evening also marked the return of the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, celebrating two outstanding inductees. Dame Valerie Adams and Richie McCaw were formally welcomed into this prestigious group, recognising their extraordinary contributions, achievements, and lasting impact on New Zealand sport. Their induction highlighted the rich history and legacy of Kiwi sporting excellence, inspiring both current and future generations of athletes.
More than just a celebration of sporting excellence, the Halberg Awards remain the primary fundraiser for the Halberg Foundation, supporting Sir Murray Halberg’s vision to ensure all young New Zealanders with physical disabilities can experience the joy and opportunity of sport.
Full List of Winners – 63rd ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards:
- Supreme Halberg Award: Hamish Kerr (athletics – field)
- 2degrees Sportswoman of the Year: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (snow sports – snowboarding)
- ISPS HANDA Sportsman of the Year: Hamish Kerr (athletics – field)
- ISPS HANDA Para Athlete of the Year: Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics – track)
- ISPS HANDA Team of the Year: Black Ferns Sevens (rugby sevens)
- Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year: James Sandilands (athletics -field)
- Sky Sport Emerging Talent: Sam Ruthe (athletics – track)
- Sport New Zealand Leadership Award: Katie Sadlier
- Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award in partnership with CityFitness: Kat Mueller
- New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment in partnership with Generate: Eroni Clark
The 63rd ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards once again highlighted the extraordinary breadth of achievement within New Zealand sport—celebrating those who continue to inspire, unite, and elevate Aotearoa on the world stage.
Full list of finalists for the 63rd ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards:
2degrees Sportswoman of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)
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-Synott (snow sports-snowboarding)
ISPS HANDA Sportsman of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)
Geordie Beamish (athletics-track), Hamish Kerr (athletics-field), Ryan Fox (golf), Luca Harrington (snow sports-freeskiing), Chris Wood (football).
ISPS HANDA Para Athlete/Para Team of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)
Lisa Adams (Para athletics-field), Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics-track) Devon Briggs (Para cycling-track), Cameron Leslie (Para swimming), Nicole Murray (Para cycling-track)
ISPS HANDA Team of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)
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).
Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year
Brendon Cameron (Para cycling-track), Hamish McDougall (snow sports-freeski), Mike Rodger (rowing), James Sandilands (athletics), Cory Sweeney (rugby-sevens).
Sky Sport Emerging Talent
Lily Greenough (cycling-BMX), Finley Melville Ives (snow sports-freeski), Cooper Morre (golf), Zoe Pedersen (swimming and surf lifesaving), Braxton Sorensen-McGee (rugby-union), Sam Ruthe (athletics – track)
