The 22-year-old shot to fame by claiming the 200 and 400 metres T44 titles at Rio 2016, while he also finished with a silver medal in the 100m.

His two victories were achieved in Paralympic record times, bettering the marks set by disgraced South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius.

Malone was given the award by the magazine at a ceremony at Auckland Hilton’s Bellini Bar.

The prize is awarded to those who prove that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.

Malone, gifted the key to his home city of Nelson last month as a result of his performances at Rio 2016, says he is now targeting becoming the fastest man in the world over 400m – with or without blades.

He told 1 news that he would look to "science the hell" out of it in the build-up to Tokyo 2020. 

Malone would have to substantially improve his time if he is to become the quickest athlete over one lap of the track as he won the 400m title at Rio 2016 in 46.20sec.

That was some way short of South African sensation Wayde van Niekerk, who powered to victory in the able-bodied race with a world record time of 43.03 in the Brazilian city.

"Really it depends on how much funding I can get towards it, who comes on board, how fast we can innovate the blades and what my own internal capabilities are," said Malone.

New Zealand’s Paralympic hero joins an illustrious list of recipients of the M2 Man of the Year award, including All Blacks duo Richie McCaw and Dan Carter.

Singer songwriter Georgia Nott was crowned M2 Woman of the Year.

Sophie Pascoe, a nine-time Paralympic swimming champion who took home three gold medals from Rio 2016, is a previous winner.