Stephen Tindall, the founder of The Warehouse, an on-line shopping portal, and Ray Avery, the inventor of medical devices for the third world, are the other finalists.

The winner, recognised for major contribution to the nation, outstanding service to the country and inspiration through achievement, will be announced at a special ceremony in Auckland on February 3.

The shortlist for the award was selected from hundreds of nominated New Zealanders who made extraordinary contributions locally and globally.

Judges including former Prime Minister Jim Bolger, Dame Malvina Major and former All Black Michael Jones will select the winner.

Vili also heads the shortlist for the Halberg Awards, New Zealand's top sports awards after another year during which she remained undefefeated and retained her world title in Berlin.

If she wins it will be her third consecutive victory having also won the women's category and overall prize in 2007 and 2008, the year she won the Olympic title in Beijing.

Rower Rob Waddell is the only athlete to win three consecutive supreme awards in 1998-2000.

Vili's coach Kirsten Hellier is also in contention to win three successive coach of the year titles, though she faces tough competition from Ricki Herbert (pictured right), coach of the World Cup-bound All Whites.

New Zealand's football team appear favourites for the team of the year award ahead of women's 420 sailing world champions Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbarich-Bacher, gold medal-winning World Championship rowing crews Eric Murray and Hamish Bond in pthe air and lightweight double scullers Storm Uru and Peter Taylor.

Rowing dominates the finalists with five nominations - World Championship gold medallists Mahe Drysdale in the single sculls, Duncan Grant in the lightweight sculls and coach Richard Tonks are also recognised.

Vili is joined by three other world champions in the women's section - the cycling duo of Alison Shanks, who won the individual pursuit, and Sarah Walker, in BMX, plus swimmer Sophie Pascoe, winner of four gold medals in world record time at the 2009 Paralympic Swimming Championships.

Voting for the awards is carried out by a Voting Academy comprising 29 media representatives, coaches and athletes who have excelled at the highest level.

The winners are due to be announced on February 4, which could make it a memorable couple of days for Vili.


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