Dave Hill awarded Paralympics New Zealand Order of Merit

Dave Hill was awarded the Order of Merit by Paralympics New Zealand for his services to Paralympic sport at their annual general meeting in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Order of Merit, established in 2001 by Paralympics New Zealand, recognises individuals who have given outstanding service to the organisation and to para-sport.

Hill has had an extensive involvement in para-sport and is widely recognised as a driving force behind the movement to ensure it is valued as an equal alongside able-bodied sport.

He began his involvement in the 1970’s, inspired by his wife Trish Hill – a New Zealand Paralympian - who had started her own long and accomplished career as a para-athlete.

Hill becoming a founding member of ParaFed North Otago in 1973 before joining Paralympics New Zealand as an Executive Member in 1975.

Thereafter, he was Chair of the Sports Committee, Team Assistant at the Arnhem 1980 Paralympic Games, Assistant Chef de Mission at Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games and Chef de Mission at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games.

This was intertwined with countless hours spent organising major fundraising events for Paralympic Sport in New Zealand.

For more information, visit the Paralympics New Zealand website.