Dame Lisa Carrington receives honorary doctorate from AUT

New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian has received an honorary degree for her contributions to sport and Te ao Māori.

Dame Lisa Carrington (Ngāti Porou and Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki) was awarded her doctorate this afternoon at Auckland University of Technology by Chancellor Rob Campbell.

Accepting her award, Carrington described the recognition as “a great honour”.

“I carry this award with humility and appreciation,” she said.

“I’ve spent most of my life chasing milliseconds on the water, so to be recognised so greatly in the world of academia is deeply moving," said Carrington.

The Olympian further described the honour as being about purpose and representing her community.

“My purpose has been to represent, not just myself, but my people, my whanau, my iwi, my country.

“To show young girls, especially Māori girls, that they can dream big too,”

Carrington was named Albie Pryor Memorial Māori Sports Person of the Year seven times, with her most recent being in December 2024.

She won one of the Olympics' highest honours, the ANOC Outstanding Sporting Career Award, and was one of the first New Zealanders to do so.

Speaking to Te Waha Nui, Carrington acknowledged her family and friends as her biggest supporters.

“This award really highlights the amazing people that have helped me along the way. I’m here because of them,” Carrington said.

“My parents, my husband, my coaches and teammates, my physios and psychologists - those people mean a lot. It’s really special to have some of them here to celebrate this moment.”

Carrington has a Bachelor of Arts from Massey University majoring in politics and Māori studies, and a graduate diploma in psychology.

Born in Tauranga in 1989 and raised at Ohope Beach, she first showcased her talent after winning a bronze medal at the 2009 World Cup regatta in Szeged.

Carrington won her first Olympic gold at the 2012 London Olympic Games, snagging first place in the K-1 200-metre canoe sprint.

She is New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian with eight gold and one bronze medals to her name.

Her book Ko Lisa Carrington me te Toa Whakaihuwaka (Lisa Carrington chases a champion) was simultaneously released in te reo Māori and English.