Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has been named the 2016 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year.
Prime Minister John Key presented the professional rugby player with the award this evening at the New Zealander of the Year Gala Awards at Auckland's Langham Hotel.
McCaw was praised for his fundraising efforts for the Christchurch rebuild, Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand and the Catwalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust.
Along with All Blacks Dan Carter and Ali Williams, he also set up the charity iSport, which supports young sportspeople.
He has also won two Rugby World Cups in his 14-year career.
McCaw was up against women's rights campaigner Louise Nicholas and businessman Rob Fenwick for the award.
This is the seventh year of the awards. They are open to all New Zealanders, but aim to honour the extraordinary Kiwis whose work and passion for the country has achieved remarkable breakthrough and innovation.
Last year Sir Stephen Tindall won, and the year before that Dr Lance O'Sullivan took out the title.
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