Dame Lisa Carrington DNZM MNZM

Te Aitanga ā Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Whakatōhea,
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tara Tokanui, Ngāti Maniapoto

CANOE SPRINT

Dame Lisa Carrington (K1 500, K2 500 and K4 500). New Zealand Olympic Committe annoucement of the New Zealand Women’s Canoe Sprint Team for the 2024 Paris Olympic games, Lake Pupuke, Auckland, New Zealand on Wednesday 24 April 2024. Photo by Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Dame Lisa Carrington is widely regarded as the greatest canoe sprint athlete of all time,
excelling in both individual and team events throughout her remarkable career.
Her record-breaking achievements include nine Olympic medals – eight gold and
one bronze – earned across four consecutive Olympic Games, along with 15 World
Championship titles.

Her recognition by the Halberg Foundation and Māori Sports Awards stands as a
testament to her extraordinary talent, unwavering self-determination, guidance of her
coaches, and the steadfast support of her humble whānau.

OLYMPIC GAMES

  • 8 Olympic Games Gold Medals
  • 1 Olympic Games Bronze Medal


ICF CANOE SPRINT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

  • 15 World Gold Titles
  • 5 World Silver Titles
  • 2 World Bronze Titles

HONOURS

NZ ROYAL HONOURS

  • Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to canoe racing: 2022
  • Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to canoe racing: 2013

ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES (ANOC) AWARDS

  • Outstanding Sporting Career: 2024

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY

  • Outstanding Māori Business Leader: 2013

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (AUT)

  • Honorary Doctorate: 2025

HALBERG AWARDS

  • Sportswoman of the Decade: 2021
  • Sportswoman of the Year: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024
  • Supreme Award: 2016, 2022, 2024
  • Team of the Year: 2025 (Women’s K4)

MĀORI SPORTS AWARDS

  • Most Influential Māori Sports Personality of the Past 30 Years: 2021
  • Māori Sportswoman of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 (joint with Noeline Tairua), 2023, 2024
  • Māori Sportsperson of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019 (joint with Noeline Taurua), 2024

LONSDALE CUP

  • 2023 – winner
  • 2021 – winner
  • 2017 – winner
  • 2016 – winner

CANOE RACING NEW ZEALAND

  • Life member

MATARIKI AWARDS

  • Te Waita (Award for Sport): 2017
  • Ururangi (Award for Sports): 2022

TE WHARE MĀTĀPUNA O TE AO MĀORI

  • Māori Sports Hall of Fame: 2025