Paralympic champion and long-time sports administrator Duane Kale has been named the new Chair of Sport and Recreation New Zealand (Sport NZ), Sport and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell announced today.
Mitchell said Kale’s appointment brings exceptional leadership to both Sport NZ and High Performance Sport New Zealand, citing his extensive governance experience, including serving as Deputy Chair of both organisations since 2023 and his longstanding roles with Paralympics New Zealand and the International Paralympic Committee, where he has been Vice President since 2017.
Kale, who won four gold medals among six podium finishes at the 1996 Paralympic Games and later led New Zealand Paralympic teams as Chef de Mission in 2008 and 2012, was recently honoured with the Paralympic Order, the movement’s highest accolade.
Mitchell thanked outgoing Chair Raewyn Lovett for her service since 2018 and said he looks forward to working with Kale to strengthen participation and wellbeing across New Zealand communities.
