New Zealand New Year Honours List includes array of sporting stars and grassroots administrators

December 31, 2022

Recreation / Sport /

New Zealand’s New Year Honours List includes an array of sporting stars and grassroots administrators who reflect the best of Aotearoa’s sporting and recreation community.

The appointment of Farah Palmer as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit acknowledges her enormous contribution to sport and rugby in particular. A multi World Cup winning captain, Sport NZ and NZ Rugby Board member, Dame Farah was this year awarded the prestigious Vernon Pugh Award for distinguished service by World Rugby.

NZ Minister Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson advises “Dame Farah is an icon of the game. Her contribution on and off the field has inspired and enabled women and men to achieve greatness. In this year of a World Cup win for the Black Ferns it is only fitting that she is acknowledged in this way.”

The list includes appointments as Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit for multi Olympic and World Champion rowers Hamish Bond and Eric Murray and former Silver Fern and coach and longtime Netball administrator Leigh Gibbs.

Former New Zealand Olympic Committee Secretary General Kereyn Smith has also been appointed as a CNZM.

Minister Robertson shared “Hamish and Eric have an unparalleled record, having been undefeated between 2009 and 2016, with 69 consecutive wins together. Leigh has given 50 years of service to netball at the highest level, and at the grassroots of the game.

“Kereyn led the Olympic movement for 11 years during a period of enormous success for our athletes and is internationally recognised as high quality sports administrator.”

Among other sporting honourees, Nico Porteous, Zoi Sadowski-Synott and Corey Peters are acknowledged for their success at Winter Olympics and Paralympics, with appointments as Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Minister Robertson added “our Snow Sports athletes have taken New Zealand to new heights in recent years and thoroughly deserve their recognition.”

Other appointments to the New Zealand Order of Merit include World No 1 and Commonwealth Games Squash champion Paul Coll, netballer Anna Harrison, adventure racer Nathan Fa’ave, powerlifting administrator Grahame Fong, long serving basketball referee Melony O’Connor and Northland Rugby Administrator Cheryl Smith.

Minister Robertson congratulated all those who have been honoured noting “it is a recognition of excellence and service that is thoroughly deserved.”

For full New Zealand’s New Year Honours List go to dpmc.govt.nz/publications/new-year-honours-list-2023

Image. Farah Palmer. Credit: Women in Rugby

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9th September 2022 - New Zealand Government increases funding for 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games

9th September 2022 - 2022 Australian and New Zealand Sports Technology Awards recognise sports tech innovation

20th June 2022 - New Belgravia Foundation Aotearoa aims to improve community access to leisure

7th June 2022 - Sport NZ revives Push Play campaign to get nation moving again

1st January 2022 - Multiple Olympic Gold medallist Lisa Carrington named a Dame in New Zealand’s New Year Honours list

26th January 2021 - New Zealand’s New Year Honours List recognises achievements in conservation and rugby

14th February 2020 - Silver Ferns secure top honours at 57th Halberg Awards

17th January 2020 - Halberg Foundation announces finalists for 57th sport awards

31st December 2019 - New Zealand sport celebrates New Year Honours

31st December 2018 - New Zealand arts, sport and tourism achievers recognised in New Year Honours list

17th December 2018 - Record nominations for ISPS Handa Halberg Awards

11th February 2017 - Canoeist Lisa Carrington claims top honours at 54th Halberg Awards

27th September 2016 - Surf Life Saving New Zealand honours lifeguards for off-duty rescue

2nd June 2015 - Therese Walsh made a Dame in Queen’s Birthday Honours

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