Past SNZ president and Life Member Peter Fitzsimmons OBE receives Sparc Lifetime Achievement Award.

Three leaders in sport and recreation have been honoured for their dedication and long-term service, while excellence across the sector has also been recognised in the inaugural Sport and Recreation Sector Award.

Sir Wilson Whineray, who led the independent judging panel, said the award winners thoroughly deserved to be recognised by their peers in this way.

"These three individuals are passionate and dedicated New Zealanders who have made an enormous contribution as sportspeople and sports administrators,’’ Sir Wilson said.

Awards have also been presented to recognise excellence in innovation, leadership, events, project collaboration and commercial partnership.

SPARC chief executive Peter Miskimmin said that the sport and recreation sector had many people and organisations making outstanding contributions, and the awards had been designed to recognise this.

"The quality of those vying for the awards was incredible and I didn’t envy the tough job the judges had in deciding the winners. But it goes to show how privileged we in New Zealand are to have such capable people running organisations dedicated to delivering the best in sport and recreation,’’ Miskimmin said.