New Zealand Team athletes recognised in 2025 King’s Birthday Honours

Sarah Walker (OLY#1101) was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to BMX and sports governance. After winner a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics, Walker has served in various sports governance positions including the IOC Athletes’ Commission and the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Athlete Committee.

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (OLY#1369) was also made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to rugby. Woodman-Wickliffe was a mainstay of the New Zealand Women’s Sevens team for a decade, winning a silver medal at Rio 2016 Olympic Games as well as gold medals at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Woodman-Wickliffe also has gold and bronze Commonwealth Games medals, from the 2018 Gold Coast and 2022 Birmingham Games respectively.  

Commonwealth Games athlete and New Zealand cricketer, Sophie Devine, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to cricket. Devine represented the New Zealand Team at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games winning a bronze medal.

Cyclist Ellesse Andrews (OLY#1389) was recognised as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cycling. Andrews has been a consistent performer for the New Zealand Team over several Games’ cycles now, starting with silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She then claimed three gold medals and a silver medal at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, before her standout performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games winning a further two gold and a silver medal.

Sarah Louise Walker ONZM, for services to BMX and sports governance.

Portia Louise Woodman-Wickliffe ONZM, for services to rugby.

Ellesse Mote Andrews MNZM, for services to cycling.

Sophie Frances Monique Devine ONZM, for services to cricket.