Shirley Mackay MNZM

The Auckland Swimming Association is incredibly proud to advise that Shirley Mackay was awarded the MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) in the King's Birthday Honours List on 1st June 2026.

Shirley's involvement with swimming began over 40 years ago with the Waitakere Swimming Club (formerly Western Districts).

Since then she has been involved with swimming in a volunteer capacity in many ways, serving on both club and regional boards, most recently as Chair of Auckland Swimming until retiring in August 2025.

She played a large role in ensuring the original West Wave pool was built before the 1990 Commonwealth games.

Shirley has led the grassroots development of the sport since 1985 by leading the Waizone Level 3 meets, the foundation stone  of swim racing for young swimmers. Without this strong and consistent leadership ensuring quality competition in a safe environment, many of these swimmers would not progress to the level of achievement that some of our top swimmers have reached. The importance of grassroots swimming cannot be ignored as an important stepping stone in the path to the pinnacle.

Below is a list of just a few of Shirley's achievements over the years:

Chair of Swimming Auckland: 2020- 2025

SNZ Governance Review Committee:  2023 - present

Deputy Chair and Swimming Auckland Board member: 2020

President of Swimming Auckland: 2017-2019

Life Member Swimming Auckland since 2010

Swimming Auckland Service Award: 1994

Swimming Auckland Honours Award: 2006

Patron Waitakere Swimming Club: 2024

Life Member Waitakere Swimming Club

Member of the trust formed to build Westwave Aquatic Centre 1989 in preparation for the 1990 Commonwealth Games: 1985

Chair and Co-ordinator of Waizone Level 3: 1985 - present.