Three cases of COVID-19 were discovered in South Auckland earlier this week.

The New Zealand Government moved Auckland to alert level three as a result, with the city put into a three-day lockdown. 

As a result, the Halberg Awards Decade Champion event at Spark Arena was delayed.

It was originally scheduled to take place yesterday. 

"We continue to work with our broadcast partner Sky Sport on reshaping the televised awards ceremony which will now take place at a later date, so that we can announce and honour the decade champions," a statement from organisers said. 

"While we are disappointed we are unable to hold the live event, we support any decisions that protect the health and safety of all New Zealanders.

"Our small team of dedicated and committed staff have worked tirelessly to create the live event and we appreciate your patience and support as we adapt to the changing environment.

"Now more than ever we are reminded of the resilience shown by the many young athletes we support."

The Halberg Awards Decade Champion will celebrate outstanding sporting achievements from New Zealand's athletes over the past 10 years. 

Previous Supreme Halberg Award winners are up for the title of Decade Champion.

This includes the 2011 and 2016 All Blacks, the 2019 netball team, and rowing pair Hamish Bond and Eric Murray. 

Category winners from the past decade will also be recognised in the team, Para-athlete, sportswoman, sportsman, coach and emerging talent athlete awards.

There will also be a public vote for New Zealand's favourite sporting moment of the decade.

The Halberg Awards were created by Olympic champion Sir Murray Halberg in 1963 and is a fundraiser for the Halberg Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of physically disabled young New Zealanders.