Sir Wayne Smith, of Waihi Beach, KNZM for services to rugby
Sir Wayne Smith was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2012 for his services to rugby, and has led the men’s and women’s sides to recent Rugby World Cup victories. Sir Wayne was Assistant Coach of the All Blacks at the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups, and Head Coach of the Black Ferns at the 2022 Rugby World Cup. He took over coaching the Black Ferns six months prior to the tournament. He worked to improve the team’s training and playing environment, thereby helping the Black Ferns to their sixth World Cup title. Throughout the Women’s World Cup, he was a strong and effective advocate for women’s rugby. Sir Wayne is a Life Member and was previously a long-term Patron of the New Zealand Foundation for Conductive Education, which helps children and adults with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy.