The New Zealand Olympic Committee has today confirmed 34 Olympians from around the country as Olympic Ambassadors for 2017.
The Ambassadors are set to build on and share their personal achievements and inspiring stories with young New Zealanders right across the country and, in sharing their stories, they share with Kiwi kids the importance of living the Olympic Values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect. Through interactive presentations the Ambassadors encourage participation in sport and striving for excellence in every aspect of life and all the while seeking to be the best they can.
They will work mainly in primary and intermediate schools with children primarily in the 8-13 year-old bracket. In sharing their personal Olympic story with New Zealand school children and focusing both on the success and on the highs and lows that came with striving to become an Olympian, the Ambassadors provide a strong platform of inspiration for the students.
Each Ambassador was selected as they are seen as highly positive role-models and New Zealand Olympians who have achieved one of the highest honours in sport while living according to these values.
Over the course of 2017 several hundred school visits are set to take place, reaching out to thousands of young New Zealanders and allowing future generations of young New Zealanders to engage with their Olympic role models. At the close of the 2016 Olympic Year, over 86% of New Zealand Primary Schools had registered to access the Olympic Education resources and over 7,000 teachers from across the country were utilising the online resources.
The 2017 New Zealand Olympic Ambassadors are:
| Suzie Bates | Otago | Basketball |
| Rebecca Brothers | Northland | Swimming |
| Sarah Cowley-Ross | Waikato | Athletics |
| Siona Fernandes | Auckland | Boxing |
| Emily Gaddum | Hawkes Bay | Hockey |
| Katie Glynn | Auckland | Hockey |
| Natasha Hansen | Waikato | Cycling |
| Robbie Johnston | Otago | Athletics |
| Jaimee Lovett | Auckland | Kayak |
| Brooke Neal | Auckland | Hockey |
| Richie Patterson | Auckland | Weightlifting |
| Natalie Rooney | Canterbury | Shooting |
| Peter Taylor | Wellington | Rowing |
| Ruby Tui | Bay of Plenty | Rugby 7s |
| Kayla Whitelock | Manawatu | Hockey |
| Genevieve Behrent | Waikato | Rowing |
| Nicky Coles | Canterbury | Rowing |
| Mike Dawson | Bay of Plenty | Canoe Slalom |
| Gemma Flynn | Canterbury | Hockey |
| Sarah Goss | Bay of Plenty | Rugby 7s |
| Nikki Hamblin | Waikato | Athletics |
| Melissa Ingram | Auckland | Swimming |
| Luuka Jones | Bay of Plenty | Canoe Slalom |
| Stacey Michelsen | Auckland | Hockey |
| Aaron Orangi | Canterbury | Bobsled |
| Matt Randall | Southland | Cycling |
| Rebecca Scown | Waikato | Rowing |
| Heelan Tompkins | Rotorua | Equestrian |
| Jade Uru | Auckland | Rowing |
| Paora Winitana | Hawkes Bay | Basketball |
| Joseph Sullivan | Auckland | Rowing |
| Shea McAleese | Auckland | Hockey |
| Barbara Kendall | Northland | Windsurfing |
| Alison Shanks | Waikato | Cycling |
More information on New Zealand Olympic Education and the Olympic Ambassador Programme can be found here.