Steve McKean, New Plymouth, MNZM, for services to sport
Mr Steve McKean has been the driving force behind improving secondary school sporting achievement in the Taranaki area in his role as Regional Sports Director for Sport Taranaki and secondary schools sport co-ordinator, which he has held for the last 18 years. He coached the Tall Blacks in their historic first win against Australia in 1978, and was the first coach whose team won 100 NBL games. He coached the New Zealand NBL for 10 years. He has supported and mentored many high-profile coaches and sportspeople over the last 40 years. He introduced a sports co-ordinators' evening in Taranaki to celebrate the achievements of sports co-ordinators and volunteers. He is well known for going beyond the call of his paid employment in the support he gives to sportspeople. In 1978 and 2002, Mr McKean received the New Zealand Basketball Coach of the Year Award.