‘Shot put queen’ Dame Valerie Adams leads Pacific pride at NZ's Halberg Awards 2026

Pacific excellence stood tall in Auckland on Monday night, led by shot put great Dame Valerie Adams, who was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame at the 63rd Halberg Awards.

Held at Spark Arena, the annual awards celebrates Aotearoa’s top sporting achievements.

This year, Pacific athletes were front and centre - from the throwing circle to the rugby field.

For many across Aotearoa and the wider Pacific, Adams’ induction was the moment of the night.

The South Auckland athlete, of Tongan and English heritage, arrived on the red carpet wearing a ta’ovala over a black sequinned dress - a proud nod to her roots.

Across 22 years on the world stage, Adams built one of the greatest careers in New Zealand sport. She won four Olympic gold medals and four world championship titles. She also claimed the Supreme Halberg Award three times and won 17 national shot put titles.

Dame Valerie Adams is inducted into the NZ Sports Hall of Fame. Photo/Facebook/John Fiso

The Hall of Fame citation described her as “quite simply, a colossus” and a “shot put queen with a remarkable Olympic pedigree”.

Her impact goes beyond medals. For many Pacific families, Adams has long been a symbol of what is possible - a daughter of South Auckland who rose to dominate the world.

It was also a family night at the awards. Sister Lisa Adams was a finalist for Para Athlete of the Year. The award went to sprinter Danielle Aitchison.

Another emotional highlight came from former All Black Saveatama Eroni Clarke, who won Best Sporting Moment of the Year. Clarke was recognised for his surprise rendition of the national anthem before the All Blacks test against Australia at Eden Park last year.

The powerful moment became even more special as his son, current All Black Caleb Clarke, stood in the team lineup.

“I had my eyes closed, hand on heart, and during the English part of the anthem I thought, ‘Man, this voice sounds so familiar…,” Caleb recalled on stage. “I open my eyes and see Dad singing the anthem.”

Saveatama said he kept the performance secret from his son.

“We embraced each other, and he said to me, ‘Dad, you didn’t tell me! I said, ‘Of course, I wanted you to be ready, but now it’s your turn son, get out there and do your best’.”

On the team front, the New Zealand women’s rugby sevens team - Black Ferns Sevens - were named Team of the Year after another dominant season on the HSBC SVNS World Series circuit.

In a video message, winger Stacey Waaka thanked fans for waking up in the early hours to watch their matches from around the world. “We love you guys, see you in two weeks!” she said, looking ahead to their next event in Vancouver.

High jumper Hamish Kerr claimed the Supreme Award and Sportsman of the Year, while snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott was named Sportswoman of the Year.

Raelene Castle, the Group Chief Executive of Sport New Zealand, said the awards highlighted the power of sport and she hopes the recognition inspires the next generation.

“That’d either encourage them to compete at a world level, but equally it might just encourage them to get out and be physically active, to enjoy themselves and have some fun.”

For many watching across the Pacific, the lasting image was Adams, draped in ta’ovala, honoured among the greatest in New Zealand sport, and still inspiring the next generation.

From South Auckland to the Olympic podium, her journey remains a source of pride - not just for Aotearoa but for the wider Moana.

2026 Halberg Awards winners

• Supreme Award: Hamish Kerr

• Sportsman of the Year: Hamish Kerr

• Sportswoman of the Year: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott

• Para Athlete of the Year: Danielle Aitchison

• Team of the Year: Black Ferns Sevens

• Coach of the Year: James Sandilands

• Emerging Talent: Sam Ruthe

Paralympic gold medalist Lisa Adams was a finalist for Para-Athlete of the year. Photo/Facebook/Athletics NZ