The 63-year-old Maister, who was New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) general secretary for 10 years until stepping down in 2010 to concentrate on his IOC role, said he was "surprised and delighted" to be honoured, adding: "I'm delighted on the basis that any award or recognition for the sport is good.

The New Zealand Order of Merit is awarded to "those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation".

Maister was one of 27 given the award in this year's Honours List.

"It's good for the thousands of volunteers who trudge away in sport and it's good for the community," said Maister. 

Maister had been unaware that his brother Selwyn, also an Olympic gold medallist in 1976 and long-time coach and administrator, had received a Queen's Service Medal in the same list.

"These things are so private you never hear about them," he said.

Among those made Knight Companions of the order is Graham Henry, who coached the All Blacks to World Cup success this year.

Surprisingly, however, he is the only member of the victorious team and management to be honoured, although Martin Snedden, chief executive of the Rugby World Cup New Zealand's organising body, is also among the new Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit.


Sir Graham (pictured), 65, stepped down in October after New Zealand had secured the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time in 24 years after beating France 8-7 in the final at Eden Park.

Having coached All Blacks in 103 tests over eight years, Henry finished with an unprecedented 86 per cent success rate.

He also enjoyed success with Auckland and the Blues in the 1990s, coached Wales between 1998 and 2002, and the British and Irish Lions in 2001.

The man who headed the planning and running of the Rugby World Cup, Martin Snedden, is made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sporting administration.

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