Two-time Olympian Nin Roberts (Ngāi Tūhoe) has been appointed Chef de Mission of the New Zealand Team for this year’s Solomon Islands Pacific Games.
Roberts, who earned 145 caps for New Zealand in hockey, will lead a team of around 40 New Zealand athletes from sports including archery, athletics, boxing, karate, Para table tennis, rugby league nines and weightlifting.
As well as her athlete experience Roberts also brings extensive support team experience to the role, having travelled to two Olympics and two Commonwealth Games in an athlete support role.
“I’m really looking forward to supporting our athletes through this role,” said Roberts.
“My job will be to ensure that team members feel welcome, that athletes are able to perform at their best and that we provide athletes with the best possible environment to succeed.”
A unique leadership role, the New Zealand Team Chef de Mission champions the needs of athletes inside complex and high-performance Games environments. The role ensures the New Zealand Team promotes athlete mana, wellbeing and performance at all times throughout the Games period.
“I’m really excited at the opportunity to experience the richness of Pasifika culture and the celebration of sport across the nations that are attending.
“The opportunity to represent your country at an event is special so I know our athletes will be in fine form and I’m looking forward being there to cheer them on in their respective events.”
The Solomon Islands 2023 Pacific Games is taking place between 19 November and 2 December in the Solomon Islands. It is a quadrennial multi-sport event which celebrates sport and Pacific culture.
5,000 participants (including athletes, technical officials and support staff) from 24 Countries will compete across 24 sports at the Games.
The archery, boxing and weightlifting competitions in Honiara are qualifying opportunities for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Nin Roberts Bio
Wellington born hockey player Niniwa Roberts has represented New Zealand 145 times in hockey, competing at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games and the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Roberts is still heavily involved in sport and the Olympic movement and is a graduate of the Women's Sport Leadership Academy, a programme designed to enable women to transition from the field of play to the boardroom.
Roberts remains actively involved in hockey and spends the majority of her downtime giving back to her club and supporting her young family.