Sporting stars turn out for Halbergs

All Black coach Steve Hansen with his wife Tash arrive at the 51st Westpac Halberg Awards. Photo / Greg Bowker

Top New Zealand sports stars have turned up tonight for the Halberg sports awards.

Drizzle and gusty winds met the athletes on the red carpet at the black tie event at Auckland's Vector Arena.

All Black captain Richie McCaw arrived with teammate Ryan Crotty.

He said that 2013 was a great year for New Zealand rugby.

"Nights like these you get to reflect on what you've achieved over the past year and all the hard work," said McCaw.

He said the field of finalists was a credit to New Zealand's strong sporting pedigree.

"I think as a little country we produce some pretty talented people."

All Black hooker Kevin Mealamu said it was great to see kiwis dominating world sport.

"I think it's a night to really celebrate what some of them have done."

Warriors player Shaun Johnson and girlfriend Phoebe Carr also walked the red carpet.

Johnson, playing in the Auckland NRL Nines from Saturday, said he was certainly having a quiet night tonight.

Chris Cairns, whose currently being investigated for alleged spot-fixing, arrived with his wife Melanie.

Kieran Read walked the red carpet with wife Bridget.

Read is up for Sportsman of the Year, along with motorsport champion Scott Dixon.

Read said it was a "massive honour" to be nominated but credited his team mates for getting him there.

"It comes from a strong team performance. It's great to be part of a team."

All Black coach Steve Hansen arrived with his new wife Tash.

Hansen said it was great to''see rugby represented so strongly in the field of finalists.

Lisa Carrington, a nominee for sportswoman of the year, arrived with her boyfriend Michael Buck.

She said it was a honour to be nominated.

"It's really cool, it's a time to sit down and take in what has happened over the past year.''

Fellow nominee Valerie Adams, a common sight at the Halberg Awards said it was an honour to be recognised year after year.

"It's always a great night to dress up and scrub up.''

She said it was exciting to see so many Kiwi sportswomen, such as Lydia Ko, dominating the world stage.

Teenage golfing sensation Ko, also a nominee, could not attend as she is in Melbourne playing in the Australian Open.

She made a strong start to the tournament today, and was two shots off the lead at the close of play on the opening day.

All Black hooker Kevin Mealamu said it was great to see kiwis dominating world sport.

"I think it's a night to really celebrate what some of them have done.''

League's Shaun Johnson and girlfriend Phoebe Carr walked the red carpet. Johnson, playing in the Auckland NRL Nines from Saturday, said he would have a quiet night tonight.

Scott Dixon could not attend due to Indy Car commitments in the US.

Cricketer Chris Cairns and wife Melanie, and Warriors' co-owner Owen Glen arrived, as did All Black Ryan Crotty with All Black captain Richie McCaw.

McCaw said last year was a great year for New Zealand rugby.

"Nights like these you get to reflect on what you've achieved over the past year and all the hard work.''

McCaw said the field of finalists was a credit to New Zealand's strong sporting pedigree.

"I think as a little country we produce some pretty talented people.''

Rower and Olympic gold medallist Eric Murray, who is nominated with rowing partner Hamish Bond for team of the year, said it was always special to be recognised.

"It's great to go out and have good time. It's a celebration of all things sporting in New Zealand.''

Murray was accompanied by his wife Jackie.

"It's always a great night for the ladies to get dressed up.''

The All Blacks and the Black Sox are also among the nominees for team of the year.

Other guests include former Silver Fern Temepara George, All Black great Jonah Lomu and his wife Nadene Quirk, discus gold medallist Beatrice Faumuina, former Tall Black Dillon Boucher and wife Nikki, former All Blacks coach John Hart, former rower and olympic gold medallist Rob Waddell and Rugby Football Union chief executive Steve Tew. Victoria Cross winner Willie Apiata is also there.

Sir Peter Leitch, otherwise known as the Mad Butcher, was one of the first to arrive.

He said the field of finalist was one of the strongest he had ever seen.

"There's so many [top athletes], I'd hate to be the judge.''

See a gallery from the red carpet here:

Image 1 of 20: Michael Buck and Lisa Carrington arrive at the 51st Westpac Halberg Awards dinner at Vector Arena.