AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Hamish Kerr has been crowned New Zealand’s sportsman of the year, receiving the Supreme Halberg Award at a ceremony held on . The high jumper’s remarkable 2025 season, culminating in a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, was recognized as the pinnacle of Kiwi sporting achievement.
Kerr’s victory marks the second consecutive year a track and field athlete has claimed the top honor, following Dame Lydia Ko’s win at the 62nd Halberg Awards last year. The award, presented by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, acknowledges not only athletic prowess but also the impact an athlete has on inspiring the nation.
The 29-year-old Kerr edged out a strong field of finalists including the Black Ferns Sevens, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, and Danielle Aitchison for the prestigious award. His gold-winning jump in Tokyo equaled his personal best and a New Zealand record of 2.36m. He also secured the Lonsdale Cup, recognizing his significant contribution to an Olympic sport.
“I’m lost for words, a little bit,” Kerr told Newstalk ZB. “I’m so focussed on my own achievement and progression throughout the year. To have moments like this, where you sit in a room with all these amazing athletes and get overawed by the fact they’re all there sitting in that room, then to be judged the best for last year was a very special moment.”
Kerr’s journey to the top has been fueled by a lifelong passion for sport. He spoke of watching Kiwi athletes like Sarah Ulmer, Hamish Carter, and Dame Val Adams as a child, drawing inspiration from their representation of New Zealand on the global stage. “They were the people that I really looked up to and saw the way that they represented our country on a global stage was something that was so inspiring to me,” he said during his acceptance speech.
He continued, expressing his continued enjoyment as a fan: “To this day, whenever I’ve got downtime I sit there and watch the Black Ferns Sevens, I watch Zoi, Danielle, the Blackcaps, the All Blacks, and I just love everything that sport gives our country. I just love the way we get to go out there and put the fern out there for the world to see.”
The Halberg Awards, established in 1949 and named after New Zealand middle-distance runner and Olympic gold medalist Sir Murray Halberg, recognize excellence across a range of sporting disciplines. Originally founded by NZ Sportsman magazine, the awards have been organized by the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation since 1963, expanding to include eight award categories.
Kerr’s coach, James Sandilands, was also recognized at the ceremony, being named Sky Sport Coach of the Year. This acknowledgement highlights the crucial role of coaching in achieving elite athletic performance.
The Supreme Halberg Award isn’t just about individual achievement for Kerr. it’s about the potential to inspire a new generation of athletes. “If I continue for the rest of my career, don’t win anything more, but have a few people come in the next few years and want to do things because of what I did that’s just wicked,” Kerr stated. He emphasized his desire to encourage greater participation in sport throughout New Zealand.
The other category winners at the 63rd Halberg Awards included Zoi Sadowski-Synnott as Sportswoman of the Year, Danielle Aitchison as Para-Athlete of the Year, and the Black Ferns Sevens as Team of the Year. These accolades reflect the breadth of sporting success New Zealand has enjoyed over the past year.
Kerr is scheduled to appear on Sport Nation with Scotty & Izzy on , to discuss his win and reflect on the celebration of Kiwi sporting achievements. His victory serves as a powerful reminder of the dedication, talent, and passion that define New Zealand’s sporting identity.
The Halberg Awards have a rich history, evolving from a single award presented by a magazine to a nationally televised event recognizing a diverse range of sporting accomplishments. The awards have been presented in various New Zealand cities, including Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, and continue to be a highlight of the national sporting calendar.
