Seven New Zealand Olympians have been nominated for the New Zealand of the Year Awards.
The Olympic team finished with a record-haul 18 medals at the Rio Games and the New Zealander of the Year Awards office announced that a handful of athletes have joined a growing list of nominations for the 2017 New Zealander of the Year.
Olympic medallists Valerie Adams, Hamish Bond, Eric Murray, Lisa Carrington, Lydia Ko, and Eliza McCartney have all been nominated, while Nikki Hamblin also made the list for her sportsmanship.
A total of 224 nominations have been received for the New Zealander of the Year Award, with former president of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Helen Kelly leading the way with 99 nominations in total.
After nominations close at the end of September, a judging panel will evaluate the nominations and release a shortlist of 10 candidates for the New Zealander of the Year Award that will be announced in December.
Richie McCaw won the award in 2016, while other recent winners include Sir Stephen Tindall (2015), Dr Lance O'Sullivan (2014), and Dame Anne Salmond (2013).
Newshub
