Maister, a member of the New Zealand hockey team that won the Olympic gold medal at Montreal 1976, replaces Mark Copeland.

Copeland, who had held the role for six years, will remain on the PNZ Board, along with former swimmer Duane Kale, a four-time Paralympic gold medallist, who was New Zealand's Chef de Mission at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. 

Maister, 68, is the older brother of Barry, who was also a member of the Black Sticks-gold medal winning team in Canada and is now a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Maister's other brother, Chris, was also part of the team in Montreal. 

Selwyn Maister represented New Zealand's hockey team from 1965 to 1980, including three Olympic Games, and was the team's captain in 1973 and 1974.

Selwyn Maister was part of the New Zealand hockey team, along with brothers Barry and Chris, that won the Olympic gold medal at Montreal 1976 ©FIH

After he retired as a player, he coached a number of high-profile teams for more than 20 years, including being assistant coach of the New Zealand women's team at Sydney 2000.

He was also chief executive of the Canterbury West Coast Sports Trust from 2000 to 2007.

He will take over at a time when PNZ are hoping to build on the success they enjoyed at London 2012, where they won 21 medals. 

That included six gold and seven silver, making it their most successful Games since Sydney 2000. 

"I believe this is an exciting time to be involved in‪ Paralympic‬ sport both nationally and internationally," said Maister, President of the New Zealand Olympians Association.

"I am committed to the PNZ strategic plan which clearly signals our intent towards [Tokyo] 2020 and very much look forward to the challenge of guiding the Board and the organisation through the exciting journey ahead."

Duane Kale, New Zealand's Chef de Mission at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, has retained his place on the PNZ Board ©Getty Images

As well as Copeland, the principal of MJC Legal Limited, and Kale, Maister will be joined on the PNZ Board by swimming administrator Clive Power and Catriona McBean from Sport and Exercise Science New Zealand.

The Board is completed by businessman Kagan Hindshaw and John Allen, chief executive and secretary of New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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