Experienced Director and NZOC Board Member Diana Puketapu has been elected Chair of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC).
The election marks the first time the NZOC has separated the role of Chair and President. Puketapu will focus on strategic and organisational matters in her role as Chair, while recently elected NZOC President Liz Dawson will be internationally focussed.
Puketapu (Ngāti Porou) will be the first woman and the first Māori to lead the NZOC Board. She has sat on the Board for seven years and has been Chair of the NZOC Audit & Risk Committee since 2015. She is also a member of Te Urunga Tū, the NZOC’s Māori Advisory Committee, and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors.
Together with CEO and Secretary General Nicki Nicol, Puketapu joins Dawson as part of a new NZOC leadership team that will take the organisation through to Paris 2024 and create the pathway for an exciting series of future Games.
“Diana is excited to be stepping into the role and I’m delighted the new leadership team is now in place. With our sights set on Paris 2024, Milano Cortina 2026, LA 2028 and on to Brisbane 2032, we are on an important Olympic Games runway that can deliver real benefit to New Zealand athletes and sports. The Commonwealth Games pathway is equally exciting, and Victoria 2026 brings us another ‘home games’ opportunity,” said NZOC President Liz Dawson.
“We will work together with the wider New Zealand sporting system to support national federations and ensure New Zealand’s athletes can continue to excel, on and off the field of play, and New Zealand continues to be a respected voice for integrity and leadership in global sport.”
Puketapu says she’s looking forward to further involvement with the NZOC.
“I’m really pleased to be taking up this role and am excited to help the NZOC build on the wonderful work it already does,” said Puketapu.
“I’m thrilled that the NZOC is leading the way in diversity and inclusion by appointing it’s first Māori woman to lead the Board, alongside the first female President and female CEO. I feel privileged to be the first Māori woman to hold this role.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with Liz and Nicki as we maximise our opportunities ahead of a huge sporting decade.”
Puketapu was elected to the role by the NZOC Board with the appointment effective immediately.
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