All Whites captain Chris Wood is among the finalists for the coveted Halberg ISPS HANDA Sportsman of the Year, spearheading a list of footballing Halberg contenders.
The Nottingham Forest striker is also eligible for Supreme Halberg Award, the highest honour in New Zealand sport.
Chris Wood had a groundbreaking 2025, scoring 20 goals in 36 Premier League games for Nottingham Forest, his best-ever season, finishing fourth top scorer in the league behind Mo Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland.
His form helped Forest finish seventh, their best season in 30 years. As a result, he was named the PFA Premier League Team of the Season and the Premier League Fans’ Team of the Season.
Auckland FC is also in the running for the Supreme Halberg Award after being named finalists for the ISPS HANDA Team of the Year Award.
The A-League’s newest club stole sporting headlines on both sides of the Tasman in 2025.
After only being formed in November 2023, the team won the A-League Men’s Premier’s Plate, the first New Zealand side to be crowned minor premiers.
The Black Knights broke attendance records for the biggest A-League crowd in NZ, at 26,253 fans, with numerous sold-out games at Go Media Stadium, including the Kiwi derby against Wellington Phoenix.
The winners will be announced on Monday 16 February 2026 at the 63rd ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards at Spark Arena, Auckland.
The finalists were chosen from 59 nominations submitted by National and Recognised Sports Bodies and an independent Nominations Board, recognising outstanding achievements from 1 December 2024 to 30 November 2025.
Re-established in 1963 by Sir Murray Halberg ONZ, MBE the ISPS HANDA Halberg Awards celebrate New Zealand’s sporting success, while raising important funds for the Halberg Foundation’s vision: ensuring all young people with physical disabilities have access to sport and recreation opportunities.
Article added: Thursday 18 December 2025
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