But Otago will be well represented, with seven athletes nominated yesterday.
Track cyclist Alison Shanks shapes as the province's best hope. She has been nominated in the sportswoman of the year award and also in the team of the year award with the women's pursuit team.
Shanks won the gold medal in the women's individual pursuit at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and was also part of the bronze medal-winning pursuit team at the world championships in a record time.
She will face tough competition from Commonwealth Games shot put gold medallist Valerie Adams and Silver Ferns captain Casey Williams. Black Ferns and Otago winger Carla Hohepa has also been nominated.
All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen is a strong candidate in the sportsman of the year category but Otago Paralympic gold medallist Adam Hall, Wanaka freeskier Jossi Wells, former Otago cyclist Greg Henderson and Black Caps and Otago batsman Brendon McCullum have also been nominated.
In the team of the year award, world champion rowers Hamish Bond (North End) and Eric Murray have been nominated alongside the likes of the All Whites, All Blacks and the Silver Ferns.
• Shanks and Jesse Sergent, of Feilding, will be favourites to win the inaugural national women's and men's track rider of the year award.
Shanks tops the list of finalists announced yesterday for the women's track award, which includes Rushlee Buchanan, of Te Awamutu, the reigning national road champion.
The awards will be presented on January 7 in Christchurch in conjunction with the national road championships.
- Additional reporting by NZPA.
