The PNZ Order of the Merit has been awarded to 30 individuals ©Paralympic New Zealand

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) has recognised Sandra Blewett with the PNZ Order of Merit for outstanding service to Paralympics New Zealand and Para sport in the country.

Blewett, who was a PNZ Board member from 2001 to 2008, has been an advanced swimming instructor and coach for non-disabled and disabled swimmers since 1971 where she has taught Paralympians in their early sporting careers.

She owns and manages the Sandra Blewett Learn to Swim School as well as being a swim coach for Parafed Auckland, furthering her lifetime dedication to teaching and coaching swimming.

"People need to be taught the basics properly," Blewett said.

"If the basics are taught properly, it makes everything after that easier.

"I wanted to teach swimming at that early stage because when you see people realise that they can actually float and swim, watching their faces, it’s a delight."

Blewett has served in several roles within New Zealand Para sport across 25 years, including as a Para swimming classifier from 1996 to March 2022, Parafed Auckland executive director between 1998 and 2003 and as the team manager of the New Zealand team for the International Paralympic Committee World Swimming Championships in Mar De Plata in 1998.

She arranged the "Welcome Home" gathering for Paralympians who competed at Sydney 2000, and she operated as the convenor of selectors for the Para swimming team to Athens 2004 Paralympics.

Sandra Blewett has been an advanced swimming instructor and coach for non-disabled and disabled swimmers since 1971 ©Getty Images
Sandra Blewett has been an advanced swimming instructor and coach for non-disabled and disabled swimmers since 1971 ©Getty Images

The PNZ Order of Merit - which has been awarded to 30 individuals since being established in 2001 - was presented to Blewett by PNZ Jana Rangooni, the chair of the PNZ, at the organisation's offices in Auckland.

"I’m very honoured," Blewett said following the ceremony.

"Getting the PNZ Order of Merit is a big thrill for me. 

"I just love working for all athletes, and especially those with disabilities.

"What I’ve done to help people get into sport, it’s something different.

"Being able to show everyone that they can achieve things.

"It’s a two-way thing.

"Firstly, learning life-saving skills which they will have for the rest of their lives.

"And secondly, to achieve excellence at their level - whether that’s on holiday with their family or representing New Zealand at the Paralympic Games."