Maw was the high performance director at British Triathlon between 2001 and 2006 and his appointment follows an independent review of Triathlon New Zealand's elite system. 

"The creation of this new role is an important recommendation to come out of the independent review," said Craig Waugh, chief executive of Triathlon New Zealand. 

"So much of the work and planning that will follow will be driven by the high performance director and head coach as we set the tone and changes required for success over the next eight to 10 years.

"The quality of applicants was superb, a reflection of the high regard in which Triathlon New Zealand and our athletes are held worldwide.

"But Graeme Maw stood out in the global search and was our preferred choice."

Maw has also worked as the performance director of Welsh Rugby and the swimming high performance manager at the Queensland Academy of Sport. 

He is currently working as director of sport at Millfield School, the independent school in Somerset which is renowed for the success of its sports programme. 

Maw is due to arrive in New Zealand in November and will officially take up his new role the following month. 

Hamish Carter (left) and Bevan Docherty celebrate winning the Olympic gold and silver medals at Athens 2004

New Zealand is the third most successful country in the history of triathlon at Olympics, having won three medals, including at Athens in 2004 when they claimed the gold and silver medals in the men's race thanks to Hamish Carter and Bevan Docherty.

The country's top finishers at London 2012 were Docherty, who finished 12th in the men's race, and Kate McIlroy, tenth in the women's.

"I cannot wait to get to work with Tri NZ," said Maw.

"I watched as Hamish and Bevan went one-two in Athens, I saw Sam Warriner [win a silver] medal at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games [in 2006] and have followed Andrea's [Hewitt] outstanding form these past few years.

"I relish bringing people together to achieve a collective goal, and believe in coaching and coach development.

"I'm certainly looking forward to working with the team to progress New Zealand's triathlon legacy."

The choice of Maw was endorsed by Alex Baumann, chief executive of High Performance Sport New Zealand.

"Triathlon New Zealand has acted quickly and professionally in their search for a HPD (high performance director), in line with the recommendations of the recent independent review into their 2020 HP programme," he said.

"The search has been a global one, with Tri NZ looking at home and overseas for the best candidate in what will be a demanding and challenging role."

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