Mr Riccardo Salizzo, of Hoboken, United States of America, ONZM, for services to sports media
Riccardo Salizzo began his career as a sports reporter with TVNZ. His production companies initially produced behind-the-scenes sports videos, including ‘The Good, The Bad and the Rugby’, which saw him recognised with a TV Sports Journalist of the Year award. He was the first person appointed as the All Blacks Media Liaison officer. He created and produced the two longest-running sports shows in New Zealand, ‘Sportscafe’ and ‘The Crowd Goes Wild’. He was a Director of Auckland Blues Rugby. He has mentored television personalities and volunteered in schools to coach and mentor young men in rugby for many years. Mr Salizzo has financially supported and raised funds for music foundation Play It Strange, including proceeds from the book and documentary ‘I Know This To Be True’.