This year's Halberg Award winners can feel justifiably proud that they have won their awards in what has been a stellar 12 months for New Zealand sport, says Labour Leader David Shearer.

"Once the All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup in such dramatic circumstances to the delight of millions of joyous supporters, it was inevitable that rugby would scoop many of the awards," David Shearer said.

"And so they did. The team itself, captain Richie McCaw and coach Graham Henry deserve every plaudit they have received.

"But the All Blacks know better than most what close competition is all about," David Shearer said.

"They certainly had competition at these awards. World champion Valerie Adams, our magnificent rowers, the 'comeback kid' Mark Todd, and the remarkable Paralympian swimmer Sophie Pascoe were all genuine contenders and in any other year no one would have been surprised to see them take the top award.

"This was the time for the All Blacks, however. After a wait of 24 years between World Cup triumphs, they gave a huge lift to Kiwis all over the country and around the world.

"Nothing can give New Zealand sportspeople more mana than to have a Halberg Award next to their name," David Shearer said. "All this year's winners occupy a special place in our sporting history and legend."