Barrett beat out fellow All Black Dane Coles, Irishman Jamie Heaslip and Englishmen Billy Vunipola, Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje for the player of the year award. The All Black first five-eighth has had an outstanding season, impressing with his running game and ability to pick out gaps in the defence.
Earlier this year he led the Hurricanes to a Super Rugby title, before claiming the All Black No 10 jersey after being pigeon-holed as a utility for the past four years. He was influential in the All Blacks' Rugby Championship win.
Hansen has been named coach of the year, while the All Blacks were named team of the year.
Hansen coached the All Blacks through another successful season in 2016, having lost just one game, to Ireland two weeks ago. The season saw the team set the world record for most consecutive victories over tier one nations, claiming the Bledisloe Cup and sweeping the Rugby Championship in the process.
England's Maro Itoje was named breakthrough player of the year, beating out All Blacks Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown.
In other awards Seabelo Senatla (South Africa) was named World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year. Charlotte Caslick (Australia) won Women's Sevens Player of the Year beating Black Ferns Sevens ace Portia Woodman.
Caslick was hugely influential in Australia capturing both the World Series and Olympic crowns.
Ireland's Jamie Heaslip won the try of the year award for his effort against Italy. All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara was nominted for his effort against Argentina during the Rugby Championship.
Female referee Alhambra Nievas of Spain and South Africa's Rasta Rasivhenge were both named referee of the year.
- Otago Daily Times and NZ Herald