Olympians Kayla Whitelock, Emily Gaddum and Barry Maister have all received Queen’s Birthday Honours in the 2020 honours list.
Hockey players Whitelock and Gaddum have been made members of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to hockey.
The pair helped the Black Sticks to new heights and were key components in the team that claimed Commonwealth Games silver in 2010, bronze in 2014, and fell agonisingly short of an Olympic medal, placing fourth at London 2012.
34-year-old Whitelock, who debuted in the New Zealand side in 2003, says she’s thrilled to receive the honour.
“This is a reflection of the years I’ve dedicated to hockey and it’s really nice for our sport to be acknowledged,” she told newsroom.co.nz.
“It’s a huge honour for my family and amongst the impact of Covid-19, it’s been nice to reflect on my career and all the people who are part of my journey.”
Olympian and sporting leader Barry Maister was also recognised, being made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport and the community.
Maister was a member of the 1976 New Zealand hockey team that took home gold from the Montreal Olympic Games. He is also a former head of the New Zealand Olympic Committee and was an International Olympic Committee Member for nine years, where he was known for his honesty and straight talking. In 2018 he was awarded the Olympic Order, the IOC’s highest honour.
Meanwhile New Zealand Team Matua Derek Lardelli has been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Lardelli has been instrumental in the New Zealand Team’s incorporation of Tikanga Maori.
The New Zealand Olympic Committee extends it’s congratulations to all those recognised with honours.
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