Barry Maister, a 1976 Olympic hockey gold medallist and member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has been named on the 2012 New Years Honours list by becoming an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. 63-year-old Maister, who was New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) general secretary for 10 years until stepping down in 2010 to concentrate on his IOC role, said he was "surprised and delighted" to be honoured, adding: "I'm delighted on the basis that any award or recognition for the sport is good. The New Zealand Order of Merit is awarded to "those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation". Maister was one of 27 given the award in this year's Honours List. "It's good for the thousands of volunteers who trudge away in sport and it's good for the community," said Maister. Barrys brother Selwyn, also an Olympic gold medallist in 1976 and long-time coach and administrator, had received a Queen's Service Medal in the same list.
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