Mrs Kayla Whitelock, of Palmerston North, MNZM for services to hockey
Kayla Whitelock played for the Black Sticks women’s hockey team from 2003 to 2016, amassing 255 caps. She was New Zealand women’s hockey player of the year four times. She represented New Zealand at four Olympic Games and three Commonwealth Games, winning silver and bronze Commonwealth Games medals. She competed at the 2010 Women’s Hockey World Cup and was captain for the 2014 Women’s Hockey World Cup. She captained the Black Sticks at two Olympic Games. She won two Champions Challenge gold medals and played for Central in the Ford National Hockey League. Mrs Whitelock dedicates significant voluntary time to the hockey community, especially young female players.