Ricki Herbert
Ricki Herbert, of Wellington, received the Insignia of a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to football. As head coach of the 2010 All Whites, Mr Herbert inspired the team to New Zealand’s best results in world football. Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa in June and July 2010, the All Whites were the only unbeaten team, with three drawn matches, against Slovakia, Paraguay and reigning world champions Italy. The only other time the All Whites have qualified to play in the World Cup finals was in 1982, when Mr Herbert was a team member.