"We've got four really good athletes and one really good coach for finalists," Mr Hambleton said. "It shows the far reach of athletes in Hawke's Bay, from playing in the NRL rugby league, [being a] Maori All Blacks Captain, or coaching one of our national teams.
"It really shows even though we're a small region, we have some impressive athletes out there who don't get recognised enough.
The winner of the award is decided by public voting, which is open now. So far votes were rolling in, Mr Hambleton said, with "heaps of interest" being shown on social media.
The award was an exciting addition last year, and has been brought back this year so the public can nominate who they believe was the region's top sports figure through Hawke's Bay Today.
Last year's success had shown the award was a "great opportunity" to raise public awareness and recognise Hawke's Bay's athletes.
The finalists this year include hockey player Shea McAleese, a New Zealand representative who attended William Colenso College.
After making his international debut in 2005 McAleese played at the past three Olympics. He represents the Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the Hockey India League and has coached the Central Mavericks team.
Ash Dixon of rugby fame is also a contender. The New Zealand Maori representative, member of the Napier Technical Old Boys Club, and Magpies captain started his career with Hawke's Bay.
In 2012 he moved back to the region to play for the Magpies. A Super Rugby Championship winner with the Highlanders, Dixon captained the Maori All Blacks last year.
For his league contribution, Tohu Harris - a New Zealand Kiwis rep who plays for the Melbourne Storm - is up for nomination.
The former Junior Kiwi played his junior rugby and league for the Tamatea club and attended Hastings Boys High School. Next year Harris will play for the Warriors.
Also a finalist is Rebecca Rolls who has played for New Zealand in two different codes - football and cricket.
She first made her mark with the Football Ferns before enjoying an international cricket career as a wicketkeeper. She represented the White Ferns before returning to football in 2012. She was in the Ferns squad for Beijing in 2012.
Up for peoples choice is Kirstin Daly-Taylor for basketball. She gained New Zealand selection at under-16, U18 and U20 levels, and gained a college scholarship to play in America's NCAA collegiate ranks.
She was first selected for the Tall Ferns in 1985, aged 17. She was the first woman to coach a men's NBL team (Hawks) in 2003.
-Have your say: it's one vote per person and votes must be emailed to competitions@hbtoday.co.nz. Voters are asked to put NZME People's Choice in the subject line.
