Sue Gukilau

Sue Gukilau ran in the 400m for New Zealand at the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games.

The Aucklander made a late bid for a place in the team by running 55.8s twice and 55.1s late in 1973. Then she chased Colleen Mills home in the national championships in Christchurch. They were held in December 1973 and doubled as a pre-Games trial.

In the end, New Zealand’s three representatives for the 400m were Mills, Gukilau and Penny Hunt. Mills was carrying an injury, but Hunt and Gukilau moved through comfortably to the semi-finals, Gukilau running 55.3s.

In the semi-finals, Gukilau turned in a 55.8s effort, good enough only for 7th in her race, 13th overall.

Gukilau competed at a time of fine 400m runners, including not only Hunt and Mills, but also Sue Haden.

She also ran in the New Zealand 4 x 400m team that contested the final in Christchurch. The team - Shirley Somervell, Gukilau, Lorraine Tong and Hunt – set a national record of 3min 37.53s in finishing 5th.