The Network Waitaki 2024 Sportsperson of the Year is Waitaki Valley-born Coast to Coast winner Hamish Elliott.

Hamish, a former Waitaki Boys’ High School student who now lives in Wanaka, came out on top in his fourth attempt at what some might describe as the ultimate multisport event.  

Hamish was also named Waitaki Sportsman of the Year at the awards evening, held at the Waitaki Recreation Centre on Monday night (17 March).

The evening was a celebration of Waitaki sport and the hard work that goes into being among the country’s best - not only by the athletes, but also coaches and officials. It was organised by North Otago Sports Bodies Association, with former All Black Kees Meeuws as the guest speaker.

Other winners were Otago cricketer Molly Loe, named Sportswoman of the Year, with younger brother Angus named Junior Sportsman for his rowing accomplishments.

Junior Sportswoman was Emma Gillies for her achievements in equestrian, while Team of the Year was the Ōamaru Rowing Club Novice Coxed Four.

Ryan Mountney interviews former All Black Kees Meeuws. Photo: Supplied/Sports Images NZ

Masters Athlete of the Year was Kona Ironman Mark Esselink, while the Emerging Talent awards went to Lucy Hoy (athletics) and Vinn Kennedy (touch).

New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby representative Jacinta Richardson won the Athlete with a Disability Award.

Former New Zealand Netball administrator, coach and umpire Anne Taylor (OBE) and former All Black and middle distance runner Bruce Hunter were both inducted into the North Otago Sports Hall of Fame.

On the more administrative side, Coach of the Year was hockey's Mark Holthusen, while Lynda Wilson (rowing) received the Stewart Mitchell Award for Official in Sport, and Hannah Miller (hockey) received the Denis Birtles Memorial trophy for Service to Sport.

The collection of awards handed out on Monday night. Photo: Supplied/Sports Images NZ

The full list of winners and event sponsors is:  

Loan & Merc Functions Denis Birtles Memorial Service to Sport 

Hannah Miller (hockey)

LJ Hooker Stewart Mitchell Award for Official in Sport 

Lynda Wilson (rowing)

Sutherlands Men's & Ladieswear Athlete with a Disability 

Jacinta Richardson (wheelchair rugby)

Adair Craik Chartered Accountant Female Emerging Talent Award

Lucy Hoy (athletics)

Adair Craik Chartered Accountant Male Emerging Talent Award 

Vinn Kennedy (touch)

Mortimers Garage Coach of the Year 

Mark Holthusen (hockey)

Hi Flo Plumbing Team of the Year 

Oamaru Rowing Novice Coxed Four 

TK Hire Masters Athlete of the Year 

Mark Esselink (multisport)

Milligans Food Group Junior Sportswoman of the Year

Emma Gillies (equestrian)

Plunket Electrical Junior Sportsman of the Year 

Angus Loe (rowing)

Dean & Coleman Law Sportswoman of the Year 

Molly Loe (cricket)

Dean & Coleman Law Sportsman of the Year 

Hamish Elliott (multisport)

Network Waitaki Sportsperson of the Year (Supreme Award) 

Hamish Elliott

The New Zealand Whisky Collection Waitaki Sports Hall of Fame Inductees:

Anne Taylor (netball)

Bruce Hunter (athletics & rugby)