Public Voting Opens for New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment at the 62nd ISPS Handa Halberg Awards
Thursday 16 January 2025, Auckland
The ISPS Handa Halberg Awards has officially opened voting for the only publicly voted category: New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment. This category celebrates ten incredible moments from 2024, each reflecting the passion, pride, and perseverance that unite Kiwi sports fans.
This year’s finalists feature an inspiring range of achievements—from thrilling World Cup victories to extraordinary displays of grit and determination at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These moments represent the spirit of sportsmanship, teamwork, and triumph that resonates deeply with New Zealanders.
Award-winning podcast Between Two Beers has again partnered with Halberg to spotlight this category. Hosts Steven Holloway and Seamus Marten will release two exclusive episodes, delving into the stories behind the ten finalists and building excitement in the lead-up to the Awards night.
As the only category decided by public vote, New Zealanders have a unique opportunity to celebrate the sporting moment that captured their hearts in 2024. New Zealanders can cast their vote once a day to help crown the nation’s favourite sporting memory!
Voting is open to the New Zealand public now and closes at 8:15pm, Tuesday 18 February 2025 and will be announced live at the ISPS Handa Halberg Awards shortly after.
The Full list of the Top 10 Sporting Moments are:
- Anna Grimaldi – overcame the heartbreak of missing a long jump medal to claim New Zealand’s only gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, winning the 200m T47. September 2024 (Para athletics)
- BLACKCAPS – became the first team in history to win a three-match Test series 3-0 against India, in India. November 2024 (cricket)
- Brooke Francis and Lucy Spoors – emotional post-race moment, embracing their children after winning Olympic gold in the women’s double sculls. August 2024 (rowing)
- Ellesse Andrews – celebrates Keirin win with coach-father “Most of the time your parents are on the other side of the fence, so to have one trackside on this side of the fence with me is pretty, I’d say, unusual for this sport, but very special”. August 2024 (cycling – track)
- Finn Butcher – emotional tribute to his father after winning Olympic gold in Kayak Cross. August 2024 (canoe slalom)
- Hamish Kerr – celebration after clearing the winning jump in a dramatic Olympic high jump final – running through the infield amid ongoing events. August 2024 (athletics – field)
- Hayden Wilde – silver medal at the Paris Olympics was marked by a powerful display of sportsmanship, embracing rival Alex Yee in a quiet moment of camaraderie. August 2024 (triathlon)
- Dame Lydia Ko – career-defining gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, completing her historic Olympic medal collection. August 2024 (golf)
- Silver Ferns – claim the 2024 Constellation Cup with a crucial 61-43 win over the Diamonds in the third test of the series in Perth. October 2024 (netball)
- WHITE FERNS – defeated South Africa in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final by 32 runs in Dubai, to claim New Zealand’s first-ever T20 World Cup win. October 2024 (cricket)