Nominate a sporting great for Sports Hall of Fame
Published on 14 October 2025
Photo: This year's Whanganui Sports Hall of Fame ceremony, honouring recipients Anna Symes (Hockey) and Andrew Donald (Rugby). Photo by Mark Brimblecombe, feat (L-R): Judges panel chair Keith Smith, Pip Symes, Andrew Donald, Mayor Andrew Tripe.
Sport Whanganui media release
Nominations open on Monday for the Whanganui Sports Hall of Fame.
The Whanganui Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the contributions of local sportspeople who have represented New Zealand, as well as supporters and officials who, through their involvement in sport, have made a significant impact on our sporting heritage.
Nominations are open from Monday 20 October until Friday 28 November. A judging panel will decide on the winners with two inductees formally recognised in a ceremony in March 2026.
To qualify for nomination, candidates must be from the Whanganui district either by birth or having moved here; have represented New Zealand as an athlete and be retired from competition for 5 years; and/or have made a positive contribution to sport in the district.
Chair of the judges panel, Keith Smith says it is an honour to be involved with the Hall of Fame. “Whanganui is so steeped in sporting history and has contributed greatly to the community and New Zealand sports ‘DNA’ over the years that it is incumbent on us to continue to recognise and honour that legacy.”
Anyone can make a nomination, with nominations generally coming from a sports club or an individual who is associated with the nominee. As well as any new nominations received, all previous nominations not yet inducted are eligible for consideration.
The Sports Hall of Fame was launched in 2008 with thirty-four sportspeople inducted to date. Anna Symes and Andrew Donald were inducted earlier in 2025 for their respective achievements in hockey and rugby.
Sport Whanganui’s Jodie Brunger says “Whanganui has such a rich sporting history, and the Hall of Fame is a way for us to honour those who have shaped it. These stories deserve to be seen and celebrated - not just by those who lived them, but by our tamariki and rangatahi who will carry that legacy forward. For me, it’s about pride in where we come from and the people who’ve paved the way.”
Nomination forms can be downloaded from sportwhanganui.co.nz, or a hard copy picked up from the Sport Whanganui office at Springvale Park. A list of all inductees is available on the Whanganui District Council website at whanganui.govt.nz/Community-and-Culture/Sports-Hall-of-Fame.
ENDS
Contact: Gemma Bartley, Brand & Media Support, Sport Whanganui
gemma@sportwhanganui.co.nz or 027 4734300