Nick Willis

Nick Willis, of Lower Hutt, received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit on 24 March 2009 for services to athletics.  Since 2000 Mr Willis has competed internationally as a middle distance runner in the 800m, 1500m, one mile, 3000m and 5000m events.  He won the 1,500 metres at the 2006 and 2008 New Zealand Track & Field Championships.  He has competed at the International Association of Athletics Federation championships in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.  Mr Willis won the 1500m at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, the men’s 1500m bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2008 Fifth Avenue Mile street race in New York.