World Cup winning Black Ferns coach Sir Wayne Smith received his KNZM for services to rugby this morning at Government House. Sir Wayne has now led both our men’s and women’s national sides to Rugby World Cup victory. Outside of rugby, Sir Wayne is Patron of the New Zealand Foundation for Conductive Education, an organisation that helps children and adults with physical disabilities. Former Black Fern Cheryl Smith was awarded an MNZM for services to rugby. She was part of the Black Ferns World Cup winning squads in 1998 and 2002, and later became the first-ever woman to coach the Northland men’s senior team.
Kaa Williams and Tawhiri Williams were awarded a CNZM for services to Māori and education. Together, they established Te Wānanga Takiua o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa, and cerated a scholarship for aspiring Māori lawyers in honour of their late daughter. Congratulations to all of this morning’s recipients.
