Dame Lydia Ko wins Supreme Halberg Award

Dame Lydia Ko has been recognised for her exploits on the world stage last year by winning the Supreme Halberg Award at a ceremony held tonight in Auckland.

The golf star was also named Sportswoman of the Year, claiming that honour ahead of fellow finalists including last year’s supreme winner Dame Lisa Carrington; track cyclist Ellesse Andrews; ICC Women’s T20 World Cup player of the tournament Amelia Kerr; No.1-ranked doubles tennis player Erin Routliffe and rowing great Emma Twigg.

Ko was judged the overall winner due to her remarkable success in winning a gold medal at last year's Olympics - she now has the full set of Olympic medals - and victory in the British Open at St Andrews, considered the home of golf.

The evening celebrated the country’s finest sporting achievements across eight categories, highlighting the dedication and perseverance of New Zealand’s top athletes, teams, and leaders.

And the Olympians were the big winners.

Hamish Kerr was named the Sportsman of the Year, recognised for his exceptional high jump achievements in 2024, including gold in Paris and at the World Indoor Championships.

Kerr was among fellow finalists, kayak cross Olympic gold medallist Finn Butcher, triathlete Hayden Wilde, English Premier League player of the month in October 2024 – Chris Wood; and world No.1-ranked jockey James McDonald.

Paralympic star Anna Grimaldi, New Zealand's sole Paralympic gold medallist from Paris, secured the Para Athlete of the Year Award. Other finalists included two time silver medallist at the Paris Paralympics Danielle Aitchison, Paralympic cycling medallists Anna Taylor and Nicole Murray and World Para Athletics Championships gold medallist William Stedman.

The New Zealand Women’s K4 sprint kayak crew of Dame Lisa Carrington, Alicia Hoskin, Olivia Brett, and Tara Vaughan achieved a historic milestone in 2024 by becoming the first non-European crew to win Olympic gold, earning them the Team of the Year award.

Renowned sprint kayak coach Gordon Walker added another accolade to his impressive career, taking home the Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year title for the sixth time.

• Supreme Halberg Award: Dame Lydia Ko (golf)

• Sportswoman of the Year: Dame Lydia Ko (golf)

• ISPS Handa Sportsman of the Year: Hamish Kerr (athletics – high jump)

• ISPS Handa Para Athlete of the Year: Anna Grimaldi (Para athletics)

• ISPS Handa Team of the Year: Women’s K4 Sprint Kayak Crew (canoe racing)

• Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year: Gordon Walker (canoe racing)

• Sky Sport Emerging Talent: Tyler Bindon (football)

• Sport New Zealand Leadership Award: Marcus Daniell (tennis)

• Sir Murray Halberg Legacy Award in partnership with CityFitness : Michael Hynard

Sportswoman of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)

Ellesse Andrews (cycling-track), Dame Lisa Carrington (canoe racing), Amelia Kerr (cricket), Lydia Ko (golf), Erin Routliffe (tennis), Emma Twigg (rowing)

ISPS HANDA Sportsman of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)

Finn Butcher (canoe slalom), Hamish Kerr (athletics-field), James McDonald (horse racing), Hayden Wilde (triathlon), Chris Wood (football)

ISPS HANDA Para Athlete/Para Team of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)

Danielle Aitchison (Para athletics), Anna Grimaldi (Para athletics), Anna Taylor (Para cycling), Nicole Murray (Para cycling), William Stedman (Para athletics)

ISPS HANDA Team of the Year (eligible for Supreme Halberg Award)

Black Ferns (rugby-sevens), Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis (rowing), Emirates Team New Zealand (sailing), White Ferns (cricket), Women’s K2 Sprint Kayak (canoe racing), Women’s K4 Sprint Kayak (canoe racing)

Buddle Findlay Coach of the Year

Jon Andrews (cycling-track), Aaron Osborne (canoe slalom), James Sandilands (athletics), Cory Sweeney (rugby-sevens), Gordan Walker (canoe racing)

Sky Sport Emerging Talent

Tyler Bindon (football), Cormac Buchanan (motorcycling-road), Luke Harrold (snow sports), Ethan Olivier (athletics), Levi Townley (motorcycling-motocross), Erice Van Leuven (cycling-mountain bike)