KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Olympic Games team boss Dave Currie is delighted but also slightly "embarrassed" at making the New Year Honours list.
Made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM), Currie was chef de mission at the 2004 Athens Olympics and in Beijing this year.
He held a similar position at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 and Melbourne in 2006, and at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney.
Currie's is the highest sporting accolade in the list, which includes seven athletes who won medals at the Beijing Games in August.
Gold medallists Tom Ashley and Valerie Vili were made Officers of the Order of New Zealand.
Olympic rowing medallists George Bridgewater, Nathan Twaddle and Mahe Drysdale, cycling medallist Hayden Roulston and 1500m bronze medallist Nick Willis were made Members of the Order of New Zealand.
Scott Dixon was also made a Member of the Order of New Zealand for services to motorsport as were Paralympians Cameron Leslie, Sophie Pascoe and Paula Tesoriero.
Currie acknowledged the athletes: "I'm just delighted and I'm embarrassed. The Games are about athletes, not about administrators or support staff like me."
Advice about the honour for services to sports administration came out of the blue and he wondered initially if the appointment was appropriate, as he was one member of a large and committed group.
"I get an undue amount of credit for the things the team does and how it comes together," he said.
"Really, it's recognition for a whole team of people I'm part of."
Being with New Zealand athletes who competed with courage, dignity, humility and style was more than enough compensation, Currie said, and he had had "a great ride".
"I've been privileged to be part of all that and I pinch myself every day," he said. "Just the sheer enjoyment of being in such a magnificent environment is reward enough."
Currie, 63, has been reappointed as chef de mission for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games and for the 2012 London Olympics. His focus would again be on helping athletes to produce their best on the day.
"We haven't got it right yet. We're better at it than we were, but we have to continue to try to provide that perfect environment so athletes can have a perfect performance."
In October, NZ Olympic Committee secretary-general Barry Maister said Currie's reappointment for Delhi and London reflected that commitment. Maister said the New Zealand team environment in Beijing was safe, secure, welcoming and well organised, and it inspired athletes.
- NZPA
