Auckland loose forward Rawinia Everitt has been rewarded for a solid season both in the women's provincial championship and in the black jersey with the Black Ferns, as she was named the NZRU Women's Player of the Year.
All Blacks' and Chiefs' loose forward Liam Messam was named the Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year, while Manawatu Turbos' and New Zealand under-20 emerging talent Jason Emery won the Age Grade Player of the Year award.
This year's IRB Sevens Player of the Year Tomasi Cama has added the NZRU Sevens Player of the Year to his bow, while professional-player-turned-professional-referee Glen Jackson was named the Referee of the Year.
An inspiring season from Hurricanes' captain and centre Conrad Smith saw him pick up the Super Rugby Player of the Year award, while Canterbury's Robbie Fruean picked up the ITM Cup Player of the Year award for the second time, having won it in 2010.
Wanganui's Peter Rowe was named the Heartland Player of the Year.
Bay of Plenty Rugby's Ray Watson was named this year's Charles Munro Volunteer of the Year, in recognition of his contribution to junior rugby which has seen growth in the union's player numbers.
The Steinlager Salver award, which recognises exceptional contributions to New Zealand rugby, was presented to Southland stalwart, former player, and coach and long-time administrator Ray Harper. The 84-year-old served the Southland rugby administration for 24 years, becoming a life member.
NZRU Chairman Mike Eagle congratulated all the winners of this year's awards.
"2012 has been a remarkable year with the Chiefs taking their first Investec Super Rugby championship, Canterbury winning an unprecedented five consecutive titles, and the All Blacks Sevens notching up their tenth Sevens World Series title,'' Eagle said.
"The provincial game this year gave us many heart-stopping moments including extra time semifinal drama and historic scenes in Ruatoria as East Coast claimed their first Meads Cup win, and in Westport where Buller won the Lochore Cup _ their first ever piece of provincial rugby silverware.''
Special presentations of greenstone mere were made to All Blacks Sevens captain DJ Forbes, and to All Blacks Sevens veterans Lote Raikabula and Sevens Player of the Year Tomasi Cama, to mark 50 tournaments each.
A mere was also presented to All Blacks' assistant manager Gilbert Enoka in recognition of him assisting the team in 150 Tests.
Award winners:
Kelvin Tremain Memorial Player of the Year: Richie McCaw
Team of the Year: All Blacks
NZRU Coach of the Year: Steve Hansen (All Blacks)
NZRU Women's Player of the Year: Rawinia Everitt
Richard Crawshaw Memorial Sevens Player of the Year: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu)
NZRU Age Grade Player of the Year: Jason Emery
Tom French Memorial Maori Player of the Year: Liam Messam
Super Rugby Player of the Year: Conrad Smith (Hurricanes)
NZRU Referee of the Year: Glen Jackson
Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year: Ray Watson (Bay of Plenty)
ITM Cup Player of the Year: Robbie Fruean (Canterbury)
Heartland Championship Player of the Year: Peter Rowe (Wanganui)
Steinlager Salver: Ray Harper (Southland)
