Stephen Fleming, Wellington, ONZM
For services to cricket. Mr Fleming is a former captain of the New Zealand cricket team, the Black Caps. He became captain in 1997 aged 23, the youngest in New Zealand cricketing history. He was known for his astute tactical abilities and was the most successful cricketer in 2000, when a victory over Zimbabwe was the 12th win for New Zealand under his captaincy. In the second test between New Zealand and South Africa in 2006, Fleming scored his third test double-century, becoming the first New Zealander to achieve this feat. He retired in 2007 as captain after leading the New Zealand team in 80 test matches. As a fielder, he took more than 170 catches, giving him the third highest test aggregate for a non-wicketkeeper.