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New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO and leader of the Olympic Movement in New Zealand, Kereyn Smith has been named a Member of New Zealand of Merit for services to sports governance in the 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Kereyn was the first women in the 100 year history of the New Zealand Olympic Committee to be appointed the top role and been constant advocate for increasing the profile and participation of women in sport in all roles and functions, winning international acclaim for this work.

Smith began career as a physical education teacher in Marlborough and Otago before moving into a career in sports leadership. Throughout her extensive career, Smith has been the CEO of the New Zealand Academy of Sport South Island, General Manager of the Hillary Commission, was CEO of Southern Sports Trust and has held various positions within government.

Smith also has played a significant role in both national and international sports governance. She was Vice President of International Netball for six years, having also been the Chair of Netball New Zealand.  She has also served as a Trustee of the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Council Member of the University of Otago, Director of the Highlanders Rugby Franchise and is currently a member of the New Zealand Rugby Committee.  

In her current CEO role, Kereyn has delivered of a strong new strategic direction of the New Zealand Olympic Committee and continued to promote women in sports leadership through a number of initiatives. She has overseen the successful New Zealand campaigns for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games campaigns. Her team is now working towards Rio 2016 which promises to be New Zealands most successful Olympic Games yet.


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