Now in its 53rd edition, the Awards are aimed to honour and celebrate sporting achievements by New Zealand teams and athletes throughout the year, with the Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year crowned during the evening.

Additionally, Disabled Sportsperson of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year and the Emerging Talent are all revealed.

Fisher, winner of the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year award in 2014, was expected to be on the shortlist again after producing superb performances throughout 2015, including claiming five medals during the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Swimming Championships in Glasgow.

The 22-year-old, though, was missed off the list of nominations and following an investigation PNZ have admitted that an error by them led to her not being put forward. 

“Subsequent investigations have revealed that whilst Mary's nomination was fully prepared and approved by PNZ in consultation with Mary's coach and family, an administration error has meant that Mary's nomination form was not submitted with the other nominations forwarded by PNZ for the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year Award,” said Fiona Allan, chief executive of PNZ.

“This error was not discovered until after the nominations were closed."

Allan added: “PNZ and Halberg Disability Sport Foundation (HDSF) have communicated following this discovery, whilst very sympathetic to the situation, HDSF has confirmed the current nominations will stand.

“PNZ has accepted this decision and wishes to thank HDSF for their careful consideration of this matter, Mary Fisher, her coach and family have been informed.”

Allan revealed that she and PNZ’s chairman Selwyn Maister had personally made contact with Fisher, who secured world titles in the 100 metres freestyle, 100m backstroke and 200m medley for S11 classification athletes at Glasgow 2015.

She also won silver medals in the 50m and 400m freestyle. 

Allan praised the professionalism of Fisher, winner of four Paralympic medals at London 2012, including one gold, upon receiving the news. 

Fisher’s fellow swimmers Nikita Howarth and Sophie Pascoe are among the nominees for the Disabled Sportsperson of the Year, as well as cyclists Emma Foy and Laura Thompson.

The list is completed by skier Corey Peters, shooting’s Michael Johnson and athletics stars Jessica Hamill and Rory McSweeney.

The Halberg Awards are due to be held on Thursday 18 February 2016 at Vector Arena in Auckland.