Mrs Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, of Mount Maunganui, ONZM for services to rugby
Mrs Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahu) is the top try scorer in women’s Sevens history. She was a professional netballer before being introduced to rugby through the Go4Gold programme and joining the first Black Ferns Sevens team to play in the World Series in 2012. She helped the New Zealand women’s rugby sevens team secure silver at the 2016 Olympics and gold at the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. She helped the Black Ferns to two Rugby World Cup victories. She has broken several records, including being the first woman to score 200 and later 250 tries in the Sevens Series. She has made women’s rugby more visible, respected, and accessible. Mrs Woodman-Wickliffe has promoted gender equality in sports and encouraged investment and support for women’s rugby.