Ms Jane Patterson, of Auckland, ONZM, for services to sports administration
Jane Patterson was Project Director for New Zealand Football, with a remit to deliver the Initial Operating Phase for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. She was Chief Operating Officer (New Zealand) for the tournament. She led the office of more than 200 staff to deliver the highly successful and world-class tournament which, among other things, demonstrated New Zealand’s major event capabilities and showcased the country, its people and culture. The event delivery honoured New Zealand’s cultural heritage throughout the tournament with initiatives that included Māori and Aboriginal designs in brand marketing, Māori performances at all official ceremonies, flying the national and first nations flags in all stadiums, and the distribution of tens of thousands of poi in all stadiums as part of the event’s infotainment programme.