Phillip Leishman, Auckland, ONZM
For services to media and the community. Mr Leishman has been a prominent sports presenter and broadcaster for 40 years. He has volunteered his time to numerous charities, including as a master of ceremonies at many fundraising events around the country. He has been actively involved with the Variety Children’s Charity since it was established in New Zealand in 1989, and served as its President in the 1990s. He was principal host for Television New Zealand's Olympic and Commonwealth Games coverage between 1976 and 1998, as well as the 1987 Rugby World Cup, successive Round the World Yachting events, numerous Halberg Awards, and weekend sports shows. He has hosted more than 500 episodes of the TV game show ‘Wheel of Fortune’. He hosted television horse racing for 20 years and is a director of the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.