Mr Nathan Fa’avae, ONZM, of Upper Moutere, for services to adventure racing, outdoor education and the Pacific community
Nathan Fa’avae is a seven-time adventure racing world champion, which consists of non-stop mountain biking, kayaking and trekking. He captains the New Zealand Adventure Racing Team and has led them to win seven world championships. He pioneered women’s adventure racing, establishing the Spring Challenge Women’s Adventure to encourage participation of women in adventure sport, with more than 25,000 women participating in the last 16 years. He is the Patron of Whenua-Iti Outdoors in Tasman, encouraging youth into outdoor activities. He founded the Fa’avae Foundation to provide funds for Pacific youth to experience outdoor education, continuing on his parents’ work in helping underprivileged Pacific youth. The projects are supported by Whenua-Iti Outdoors and the Top of the South Community Foundation. Mr Fa’avae is a former Outward Bound Instructor.