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Halberg Awards 2024 Finalists Announced: Athletics and Snow-Sports Stars Take Center Stage

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, December 18th 2025 at 0:27 GMT by The New Zealand Herald

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Halberg Awards 2024 Finalists Announced: Athletics and Snow‑Sports Stars Take Center Stage

The Halberg Awards, New Zealand’s most prestigious sporting honours, have revealed this week the full slate of 2024 finalists. The announcement – released on 20 March – shows a remarkable spread of talent across the country’s sporting spectrum, but it is the dominance of athletes from athletics and snow‑sports that has captured headlines. The finalists list, which will be narrowed to winners at the awards ceremony on 17 May, includes a mix of individual and team performances, as well as life‑time contributions and youth achievements. In this article, we break down the nominees, highlight the standout sports, and explore why this year’s finalists are a reflection of New Zealand’s growing sporting prowess.

1. The Halberg Awards: A Brief Primer

The Halberg Awards were established in 1975 to recognise the best of New Zealand sport. Every year, the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame (NZSHF) and the Halberg Awards Trust invite nominations, then hand‑pick a panel of experts to select finalists from a wide array of categories: Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Sports Personality of the Year, and a series of Gold, Silver, and Bronze categories covering disciplines such as Athletics, Rowing, Rugby, Cricket, Ski & Snowboard, and Junior Sports. The awards are a national event that celebrates excellence, perseverance, and community impact.

2. Athletics Stars Lead the Charge

The most striking feature of the 2024 finalists is the heavy concentration of athletes from athletics – track, field, and road racing. Four athletes in total have earned spots on the shortlist:

1. Ewan McPherson – the world‑ranking 400m hurdler who claimed bronze at the recent World Athletics Championships and is on track to represent New Zealand at Paris 2024.
2. Leah MacDonald – a sprinter who smashed the national record for the 100m and earned a spot on the Olympic team.
3. Māori‑Athlete “Hemi” Tait – a marathoner who completed the marathon in London, finishing 12th in a field of 20, and is now coaching the national youth team.
4. Kaitlyn Ritchie – the 400m relay anchor who led her squad to a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Each of these athletes has been lauded not just for their performances but for the resilience and community outreach they have shown during the pandemic‑era. As one of the selection panel members noted, “Athletics is where New Zealand’s new generation of elite athletes are coming up, and the depth of talent in this year’s finalists is a testament to the sport’s grassroots health.”

3. Snow‑Sports Superstars Dominate Winter Categories

Parallel to the athletics boom, the snow‑sports discipline has been equally vibrant. Four finalists in the Ski & Snowboard category were announced, with the standout being Ruth Hargreaves – the 24‑year‑old downhill specialist who won the New Zealand National Championships and clinched a bronze medal in the 2023 World Cup. Alongside her, the panel highlighted:

• Tom “T‑Joe” Thompson, a freestyle mogul skier who has been a consistent performer in the World Cup circuit.
• Jade‑Kaitlyn Raines, a cross‑country skier who secured a podium finish in the FIS World Championships.
• Katherine “Kat” O’Connor, a snowboarder who achieved a historic gold medal at the Junior World Championships.

The snow‑sports panel, which includes former Olympic athletes and coaches, praised the finalists for “re‑energising the winter sports scene in New Zealand and providing role‑models for young athletes in rural communities.” A key driver of this surge is the investment in state‑of‑the‑art training facilities in Queenstown and Wanaka, which has helped produce world‑class talent at a relatively low cost.

4. Other Notable Finalists and Categories

Beyond athletics and snow‑sports, the list contains a broad spectrum of achievements:

• Athlete of the Year (Gold) – Sia Smit, a para‑athlete who overcame a life‑changing injury to win gold in the Paralympic 400m T13 event.
• Coach of the Year – Eleanor “Lenny” White, head coach of the national rowing squad, who guided her team to a historic silver at the World Rowing Championships.
• Sports Personality of the Year – Chris “The Cannon” O’Leary, a rugby union legend whose charitable foundation has reached over 3,000 children nationwide.
• Junior Sports Champion – Luca Ngata, a 17‑year‑old high‑jump prodigy who shattered the national under‑18 record.
• Emerging Sport of the Year – Netball New Zealand, for its innovative coaching methodology and inclusive outreach programmes.

Each category was chosen by a dedicated panel that reviewed performance metrics, media coverage, and impact on the sporting community. A public voting component is also in place for the Sports Personality of the Year and Athlete of the Year categories, ensuring that fans have a voice in recognising their national heroes.

5. The Selection Process and Criteria

The article outlines the rigorous selection process that underpins the Halberg Awards:

• Nomination Phase – Open to all New Zealand athletes and sporting bodies, nominees must submit a dossier detailing achievements, impact, and community service.
• Shortlisting – An independent panel of judges reviews the dossiers and reduces the list to a shortlist of finalists for each category. The panel is comprised of former athletes, coaches, sport science experts, and media representatives.
• Final Evaluation – The finalists are then subject to a public voting stage (where applicable) and a final review by the NZSHF Board, who selects the winners.

In 2024, the selection panel placed particular emphasis on adaptability and innovation – traits that have emerged during the pandemic and the shifting global sporting landscape. This emphasis is reflected in the broad range of sports represented, from high‑performance athletics to grassroots initiatives in rural communities.

6. Why This Year Matters

While the Halberg Awards have historically celebrated high‑profile sports such as rugby and cricket, the 2024 finalists highlight a more diverse and inclusive New Zealand sporting future. The dominance of athletes from athletics and snow‑sports underscores two key points:

1. Youth Development – The depth of talent in these disciplines signals a robust pipeline of young athletes, supported by local clubs and national development programs.
2. Geographical Spread – Athletics and snow‑sports involve athletes from all regions – from Auckland’s track clubs to South Island ski fields – reflecting a nationwide enthusiasm for sport.

Moreover, the emphasis on life‑time contribution and community impact – seen in nominees like Sia Smit and Chris O’Leary – signals that the awards are not just about medals but also about the broader influence athletes have on society.

7. Looking Ahead: The Awards Ceremony

The 2024 Halberg Awards ceremony is scheduled for 17 May at the Wellington Convention Centre. Organisers have announced that the event will be broadcast on TVNZ and streamed live on the official Halberg website. The ceremony will feature musical performances, a tribute to past Hall of Fame inductees, and the awarding of a total of 20 trophies – 12 Gold, 5 Silver, and 3 Bronze.

The organisers have also hinted at a “special feature segment” that will highlight the contributions of the Ski & Snowboard finalists, given their exceptional performances on the international stage.

8. Final Thoughts

In summary, the 2024 Halberg Awards finalists offer a compelling snapshot of New Zealand sport at a pivotal moment. The pronounced presence of athletics and snow‑sports stars signals a surge in high‑performance talent and a shift towards more diverse sporting disciplines. Coupled with recognitions that value community impact and lifelong dedication, the 2024 awards promise to inspire the next generation of New Zealand athletes.

Whether you’re a track fan, a mountain biker, a rugby enthusiast, or a casual sports supporter, the upcoming ceremony will be a celebration of the grit, resilience, and ambition that define New Zealand sport. The final winners, announced in May, will not only be a testament to individual excellence but also a beacon for the entire sporting community.