Graeme Taylor new Halberg Trust CEO - 8/08/2005

Mr Taylor resigned as Chief Executive of Sport and Recreation Wanganui earlier this week and will take up his new position at the end of the month.

Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws today said that the appointment of Graeme Taylor "to one of New Zealand's premier sports jobs reflects extraordinarily well on both Sport and Recreation Wanganui and the Wanganui region in general".

"Graeme is an exceptional leader. As chairman of the Council's influential Strategy Committee, he brings real smarts and vision to the role. Those were obviously the qualities that the Halberg trustees were looking for. They have made an outstanding choice and we wish him well."

Graeme Taylor

Graeme Taylor is aged 52 years and was born in Hastings, Hawke's Bay. He attended Hastings Boys High School before training at Ardmore Teachers College and qualifying as a teacher. During that time he began playing representative rugby for Counties and formed an impressive midfield combination with All Black legend Bruce Robertson. He played 147 first class games for the province – the most capped back ever in Counties history - and was a key member of the NPC first division winning team of 1979.

He later joined the NZ Police, became a detective and attained the rank of sergeant. He resigned to become chief executive of the Napier YMCA during which he also coached the Hawke's Bay rugby team to famous victory over the 1993 Lions. He was appointed assistant coach of the Hurricanes Super 12 team and served in that role from 1996-1999. He also enjoyed successful coaching roles in Wales and Ireland.

In 2001 he was appointed CEO of Sport Wanganui to replace Gary Stent. In 2004 he was elected to the Wanganui District Council and has been chairman of the Council's Strategy Committee since October 2004.

Graeme Taylor is married to Wendy, has two adult children and a grandchild.

Council Duties

Cr Taylor will continue with his Council roles in the meantime but will resign from his role by the end of the year. The new position is based in Auckland and significant travel is required.

"There is still a physical activity strategy that Graeme wants to see implemented before he goes, and I am delighted that he can continue with that initiative. We thank the Halberg Trust for their understanding on this matter," said Mr Laws.

The Halberg Trust

The Halberg Trust was established by Olympic gold medallist Sir Murray Halberg in 1963, and is committed to ensuring that people with a disability can participate in inclusive sport and active recreation within their community.

It is also widely regarded for its annual organisation of the Halberg sporting awards. Current Wanganui identity and former rowing international Philippa Baker-Hogan has twice won their supreme award. Sir Peter Snell was named the Halberg Trust's 'Athlete of the Century' at a gala occasion in the year 2000.

Graeme Taylor replaces Dave Currie as Halberg Trust CEO. Mr Currie has recently been appointed Chef de Mission for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 2006 and the New Zealand Olympic team for the 2008 Beijing Games.