Special Edition : 5 June 2023

Andy Leslie, ONZM

The Association congratulates its Patron and Life Member Andy Leslie on his appointment by King Charles III, as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his services to sport and the community, on the occasion of the 2023 celebration of His Majesty’s Birthday and recent Coronation. The Order is awarded to those “who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits”.

When the Association was founded in 2017, Andy was one of its most vocal and energetic supporters. At the time of the Association’s founding, Andy noted that “all professional players were once amateurs, it’s vitally important to have vibrant, well-supported amateur clubs in our communities so that people can play for enjoyment and the fun of competing. And, of course, many sports wouldn’t exist without the dedicated involvement of volunteers and whanau”

At that time Andy observed that, “membership, support and volunteering levels at amateur clubs are under pressure [and] we believe it’s vital to turn things around. Everyone knows that being involved in sport, whether playing or helping, has countless benefits, and it’s at the amateur level where all people can really get involved. At the same time, we believe that a strong relationship between professional and amateur sport works to mutual advantage”.

Andy served as inaugural President of the Association for three years, from 2017 to 2019. In 2020, he was awarded Life Membership of the Association and agreed to become the Association’s Patron. During the recent reform of the Incorporated Societies Act, Andy was a vocal advocate on behalf of community sport nationally, attending the Select Committee hearings at Parliament and meeting with the Minister and officials. Andy personifies the values and attributes that all New Zealanders involved in community sport seek to attain.

The official citation for Andy's appointment as an ONZM is noted below.

Mr Andy Leslie was an All Black Test Captain in the 1970s, represented New Zealand in softball and water polo, and since 2001 has been involved with community development, youth and sports administration.Mr Leslie was President of New Zealand Rugby Football Union from 2008 to 2009. He was Officer from 2002, Director from 2004 and President from 2017 of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation.

He holds Life Memberships with New Zealand Rugby, Wellington Rugby, Centurions Rugby Club, Petone Rugby Club, and New Zealand Amateur Sport Association, of which he was President from 2017 to 2019.

He has been a strong advocate for amateur sports and volunteer participation.

He is a Life Trustee of the Halberg Trust and a Trustee of Pelorus Trust. He has been a Board member and driving force behind formation of the Community Facilities Trust in 2012, established to lead the rejuvenation and development of Hutt Valley facilities. He was instrumental in the Trust’s development of the Walter Nash Stadium in Taita, the Naenae Bowling Club, the Koraunui Stokes Valley Community Hub and the Ricoh Sports Centre at Fraser Park. His involvement in voluntary fundraising was instrumental in helping raise $12 million towards establishing these facilities.

The Association would also like to acknowledge the 17 other recipients of awards (both MNZM and QSM) for their contribution to sport in their respective communities.