Representatives from the NZOC’s 55 member sports were in attendance as NZOC President Liz Dawson thanked the organisations for their commitment to Olympic and Commonwealth sport during 2023.  

“2023 was another huge year for the NZOC as we sent teams to two pre-elite Games and prepared for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as well as the Gangwon Winter Youth Olympics,” said Dawson, according to an official press release made by NZOC.

Dawson highlighted how the organisation is committed to the region’s Olympic communities. “During the year, we also built on our contribution to the Olympic Movement with the IOC, ANOC (Association of National Olympic Committees), and throughout Oceania," she continued.

"In particular supporting Oceania, we hosted the inaugural Oceania Secretaries-General forum here in Auckland and established a shared Oceania media service to support story telling during Paris 2024. We were also instrumental in establishing a regional safeguarding workshop in partnership with UN Women and DFAT and helping ensure Oceania NOCs can strengthen their approach to safeguarding in sport.”

The NZOC President also thanked the organisations and individuals who make the work of the NZOC possible. “We extend our gratitude to Sport New Zealand and High-Performance Sport New Zealand, along with our family of commercial partners, donors and suppliers, for their ongoing support."

The NZOC Financial Report showed a 2023 surplus of $326,000 (€181,000) with a total revenue of $12m (€6.6m). This year, 42% of NZOC funding was through commercial partnerships and a further 31% from philanthropic donations. The NZOC acknowledged partners and donors for their investment and thanked them for their ongoing support.

The report also announced new appointments to the board and athlete’s commission. This includes former hockey player Graham Child, who was elected for a second term on the NZOC Board and Olympian weightlifter Richie Patterson as the new Chair of the NZOC Athlete’s Commission.

New sports have gained the organisation’s recognition; Lacrosse New Zealand and New Zealand American Football were approved for New Zealand Olympic Membership. New Zealand Cricket and New Zealand Squash were then approved to become New Zealand Olympic Member Federations, transferring from Commonwealth membership after their sports were approved for the LA2028 Olympic Games sports programme. 

At the conclusion of the General Assembly, whaea Ranui Ngarimu, formally presented the new kakahu, Te Hono ki Matariki, to the NZOC, in front of Members. The Edgar family were also in attendance and recognised for their philanthropic contribution towards the creation of the kakahu.  

It was a special presentation and an opportunity for the sector to acknowledge Ranui, an NZOC Order Holder, for her amazing contribution to the New Zealand Olympic Committee and New Zealand team.