Ms Ronnie Thompson, MNZM of Wellington, for services to basketball
Ronnie Thompson had success as a basketball player, captaining the Wellington team to its first Women’s National Club Championships title and representing New Zealand with the Tall Ferns in the 1980s. She has coached girls and women at all levels. She was an Assistant Coach with the New Zealand Basketball Institute and led Wellington Swish to the WNBL Championship. She was a foundation Board member of Māori Basketball Aotearoa and President of the Wellington Basketball Association. Ms Thompson’s commitment to kaupapa Māori-driven approaches and community development led her to roles with Sport NZ, Auckland Council, and Aktive Auckland Sport and Recreation.