Yvette Corlett, Auckland, CNZM
For services to athletics. Mrs Corlett was awarded an MBE in 1953 after becoming the first New Zealand woman to win an Olympic gold medal. She has continued to capitalise on her sporting achievements in her professional life and voluntary work. She founded the Pakuranga Athletic Club in the early 1960s. This is now one of the country’s largest, with Olympic shot-put gold medallist Valerie Adams among its members. Mrs Corlett served for 40 consecutive years on the selection panel for the New Zealand Herald Junior Sports Awards, was on the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame Board from 1990 to 1995, and was Patron of Counties Manukau Sport from 1994 to 2009. She continues to volunteer her time coaching at the Panmure Young Citizens Centre. Mrs Corlett was a physical education teacher for 15 years.