The 27-year-old becomes the first canoeist to win the award since three-time Olympic champion Paul McDonald did so in 1987.

It came after she successfully defended her K1 200 metres title and also added a 500m bronze at the Brazilian Games.

"It is a great privilege and honour to receive the Lonsdale award, it's not the recognition I strive for but when it does happen it's extremely humbling," she said.

"We have had amazing success this year in sport so I am proud to be a part of an amazing group of athletes."

The Lonsdale Cup winner is selected by the NZOC Board and other sporting and business leaders.

It was first presented in 1961 to Sir Murray Halberg, the 5,000 metres gold medallist at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. 

Since then it has been awarded to the likes of Sir John Walker, 1,500m gold medallist at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, as well as middle-distance runner Sir Peter Snell, a three-time Olympic champion, and sailor Barbara Kendall, winner of the women’s sailboard Lechner A-390 event at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and a member of the International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission until this year.

Shot putter Valerie Adams has won five titles in 2006, 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2014 before golfer Lydia Ko was recognised in 2015. 

Rowers Hamish Bond and Eric Murray were the last male winners in 2012.

Carrington is also a five-time world champion who is hoping to continue her medal winning form in 2017,

"I have no doubt that there was a positive effect having an athlete of Lisa’s calibre in our Team in Rio," added New Zealand Olympic Chef de Mission Rob Waddell.

"Her commitment, drive, determination and results were exceptional during Games-time and this inspired not only her fellow kayakers, but also the wider Olympic Team."