‘Overwhelmed and grateful’: Beatrice Faumuina honoured in King’s Birthday list

Beatrice Faumuina has been recognised for a career spanning sports, diplomacy and leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.

The former world discus champion has been appointed a Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours - one of the country’s highest honours and a step below a damehood.

She is one of 178 recipients honoured in this year’s honours including 12 of Pacific heritage.

Faumuina says she is overwhelmed and deeply grateful and calls the award a reflection of the people who have supported her throughout her life.

“It really is overwhelming to be honest… you immediately think about your family,” she tells PMN News.

“For me, it’s always been about my mum, Roini. This recognition is not just about me, it’s a reflection of everyone who’s been involved.”

Beatrice Faumuina wins gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2002. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

Faumuina’s honour comes 21 years after she was appointed an Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005.

Her journey in elite sports started early. At just 15, she was selected as New Zealand’s flag bearer at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games.

Raised in Auckland, she competed across several sports before focusing on discus where she went on to make history.

Beatrice Faumuina at the Athletics Track and Field Championships in Christchurch, 2006. Photo/Photosport/Tim Hales

She went on to win silver at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, before becoming world champion in 1997 in Athens - the first New Zealander to win a field event world title.

She followed that with back-to-back Commonwealth Games gold medals in 1998 and 2002, and represented New Zealand at four Olympic Games.

Looking back, Faumuina says sports gave her the discipline and resilience that later shaped her work beyond athletics.

She said this has also helped her channel into leadership and advisory roles across government and community sectors.

“Sport gives you the understanding of what it is to become disciplined and consistent and resilient … wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to provide those opportunities for other people,” she says.

After retiring from professional sport in 2010, she moved into diplomacy, serving as New Zealand Trade Commissioner and Consul General in New York from 2015 to 2018.

She also contributed to the New Zealand and Sāmoa Trade and Investment Commission.

At home, Faumuina has held senior governance roles in sports and leadership, including two terms as a Director of Sport New Zealand, helping shape high-performance sports strategy.

She has also served on the New Zealand Olympic Committee and was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. She became a familiar face to many New Zealanders when she finished runner-up on Dancing With the Stars in 2006.

Faumuina says her Pacific identity remains central to how she leads and the work she continues to do.

“Family, faith, culture, it’s everything about our upbringing. It’s a part of our DNA,” she says. “Your culture, your voice, your way of being is your strength. It is not your barrier.”

Despite her achievements across sports, diplomacy and governance, Faumuina says she still sees more work ahead.

Listen to Beatrice Faumuina CNZM's full interview below.

Culture, identity and leadership

“We know that our work is not done yet,” she says. “There is still time and space for us to continue and do more. The purpose that I’m fulfilling now has more depth.”

Faumuina also has a message for emerging Pacific leaders: trust your identity and stay grounded.

“Don’t ever be afraid,” she says. “Your voice, your culture and your way of being is your strength… keep dreaming and be prepared to work and remain humble.”

Grounded in her Pacific identity and shaped by decades of elite sports, Faumuina says her focus remains on opening doors and creating pathways for others.

The honours are administered through the New Zealand Government and Governor-General system. The New Zealand honours system is overseen by the Honours Unit within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Nominations are reviewed before recommendations are made, with the final honours list announced each year around King's Birthday and New Year.