In honour of her services to athletics Valerie Adams was formally invested as a Dame Grand Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit at Government House in Auckland this morning.
Adams who is proud of her Tongan connection and wearing Tongan vala during her investiture spoke of the importance of generosity and giving to others.
“I don’t think you can stop giving or helping at community, school or church level. That’s my duty now. I’m helping out a discus thrower and another couple of girls who are trying to lose weight. The best thing you can give someone is your time, and my schedule is allowing for that,” she said.
Becoming the youngest New Zealander to be appointed a Dame, Adams also serves as New Zealand’s first sports ambassador, in which role she has toured the Pacific promoting healthy living among young people.
Adams has ruled out competing at the world champs in London this year but intends competing at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next year.
Apart from her Olympic achievements, she has won medals at the Commonwealth games, holds several international titles and is one of only nine athletes to have won at youth, junior and senior level in an athletic event.
She was appointed by Lord Vaea of Houma with the hingoa matapule (herald name) Tongitupe-He-Funga-Taua. It is believed she was the first Tongan woman to be formally appointed to the cultural position.
