England cricket hero Ben Stokes is among early nominations for the New Zealander of the Year Awards.
The Christchruch-born star was the hero for England in the Cricket World Cup final against the Blackcaps, as his man-of-the-match performance helped his adopted nation to glory at Lord's on Monday.
While Stokes doesn't represent New Zealand, chief judge Cameron Bennett said his heritage was enough to warrant his selection.
"He might not have been playing for the Blackcaps, but having been born in Christchurch, where his parents now live, and with Maori ancestry, there’s clearly a few Kiwis about who think we can still claim him."
Stokes isn't the only sportsman to be nominated, with Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson and former league star Manu Vatuvei also among the other nominations.
"The way he [Williamson] conducted himself, not only in the face of such devastating disappointment at Lord’s, but throughout the tournament, resonated powerfully with Kiwis from all walks of life," added Bennett.
"He’s been the embodiment of the qualities we cherish as New Zealanders - courage, fairness, humility."
Others nominated include Rock FM host Bryce Casey, Christchurch shootings hero Abdul Aziz, cancer treatment advocate Blair Vining, New Zealand social worker and Maori activist Dame Areta Koopu, hepatitis C treatment pioneer Professor Ed Gane and Newstalk ZB host Simon Barnett.
Award nominations close on September 15. A shortlist of 10 will be announced in December, with the winner confirmed next February.
The last sportsman to win the New Zealander of the Year award was former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw in 2016. The three previous winners include Mike King, Kristine Bartlett and Taika Waititi.
Newshub.
