Dame Valerie Adams has expressed her deep gratitude after being inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, marking another milestone in the career of one of Aotearoa’s most celebrated athletes.
The honour was announced during the 2026 Halberg Awards, where Adams was named among this year’s inductees alongside former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.
In a message shared on social media, Adams said the recognition was “an incredible honour,” reflecting on the transformative role athletics has played in her life.
“From a young age, athletics changed my life and gave me opportunities to build a platform to inspire and uplift others, especially within our Pacific communities and in my homeland of Tonga,” she wrote.
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Adams, a two‑time Olympic gold medallist and four‑time world champion, said representing New Zealand carried immense meaning throughout her career.
“Wearing the black singlet filled me with immense pride, purpose, and responsibility — I gave everything I had each time I stepped into the circle.”
She added that she hopes her journey motivates young athletes to persevere through challenges: “I hope my journey encourages young athletes to dream big, embrace setbacks, and believe that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.”
Her induction comes on a night that highlighted the achievements of Pasifika athletes, reinforcing the growing impact Pacific communities continue to make across New Zealand’s sporting landscape.
The New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame, currently undergoing redevelopment ahead of its move to Cambridge later in 2026, described Adams’ inclusion as part of a new era celebrating the nation’s greatest sporting contributors.
With a career spanning more than two decades — including a nine‑year undefeated streak and dominance across Olympic, World Championship, and Commonwealth levels — Dame Valerie Adams remains one of the most influential figures in New Zealand sport, and a proud beacon of inspiration for Pasifika communities worldwide.
