Honorary doctorate for Lisa Carrington
Wahine toa, he kahurangi ka whāia, kia eke panuku kia eke tangaroa!
Kei taku tuhi mareikura, ko koe tēnā e whakatinana i te kōrero tuku iho nei, ka whāia rawatia te ara moana, te ara angitū kia eke ki ngā taumata o momoho, kia eke panuku kia eke tangaroa ki ngā pae o te rawenga, tōkihi, tōkihi, tōkihi.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian, World champion kayaker, and advocate of te reo Māori and indigenous culture, Dame Lisa Marie Carrington (DNZM), has been recognised by Auckland University of Technology (AUT) as an Honorary Doctor of the University.
At the conferral ceremony, Dame Lisa emphasised the importance of encouraging rangatahi in both their education and sporting endeavours.
“I’ve spent most of my life chasing milliseconds on the water, so to be recognised in this way, in the world of learning and academia, is deeply moving,” Dame Lisa said.
“This journey is about so much more than medals and records, it’s about purpose. My purpose has been to represent not just myself, but my people – my whānau, my iwi, my country. To show young girls, especially Māori girls, that they can dream big, work hard, and stand tall in any space they choose. That they belong.”
AUT Chancellor, Rob Campbell, noted the shared values of excellence and opportunity shared by the University and one of New Zealand’s most prominent sporting figures.
“AUT is proud to confer this honour upon Dame Lisa, and to welcome her to our alma mater as a distinguished graduate. Her achievements exemplify the values and aspirations of our university community, and we are delighted to recognise her contributions,” Rob said.
Her distinguished athletic career includes various international competitions where she has broken numerous records and secured a plethora of international titles and won nine Olympic medals (eight gold, one bronze).
Accolades and honours include becoming a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022, Halberg Awards Sportswoman of the Decade in 2021, and being recognised eight-times as the Māori Sports Awards Sportswoman of the Year.
Beyond her achievements in sport, Dame Lisa has made significant contributions to society through promoting education and the preservation of Māoritanga and te Reo, including authoring a children’s book in both English and te Reo: Lisa Carrington Chases a Champion and Ko Lisa Carrington me te Toa Whakaihuwaka.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damon Salesa congratulated Dame Lisa, noting the importance of legacy.
“Today, Dame Lisa joins a distinguished lineage of honorary doctorate recipients at AUT – a legacy that began in the year 2000 with the conferral of our first honorary doctorate to Sir Peter Blake.
“Now, 25 years later, another sporting great is welcomed into this prestigious circle. This moment is not only a celebration of individual excellence but a reflection of the values we hold as a university. At AUT we are committed to excellence, service, and impact,” he said.