She is due to formally leave her role in September after three years in the position in order to return to Australia.

The Board received the resignation with "disappointment", a statement said, but understand Hamersley’s need to join her husband, Colin Batch, recently appointed as the Australian men’s hockey coach.

An extended notice period will allow a "well-planned recruitment process to engage a new chief executive and ensure a smooth transition". 

Hamersley will spend her final six months "communicating with the sport on the recently adopted new five-year strategic Plan" and ensuring "new structures are embedded through the organisation supporting a smooth transition for the incoming chief executive".

"It was a difficult decision to make as I have enjoyed working with the staff and key stakeholders," said Hamersley.

"Athletics is enjoying such a positive profile and engagement, and it is difficult to walk away from that."

Athletics New Zealand to plan commence the recruitment process in the next weeks.

"The Board acknowledges the hard work and success Linda has achieved since joining Athletics New Zealand in June 2014," said Athletics New Zealand chair Annette Purvis.

"She has overseen considerable improvements within the organisation and under Linda’s leadership athletics has seen a revitalisation.

"Our national office enjoys improved member relationships as the team strive to deliver to and better understand our members’ needs.

"We have grown the member benefits programme, and the membership marketing drive post the Rio Olympics, is a recent example of Linda’s desire to see value delivered to our members from their national office."

Out of the 18 Olympic medals won by New Zealand at Rio 2016, four were in athletics.

Double gold medallist Dame Valerie Adams won silver in the women's shot put.

Tomas Walsh, Nick Willis and Eliza McCartney claimed bronze medals in the men's shot put, men's 1500 metres and women's pole vault respectively.