Auckland, New Zealand — 23 May 2026 · ONOC Media

The 2026 Oceania Athletes' Forum concluded its three-day programme at the Hilton Auckland on Saturday with a moving address from New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) President Liz Dawson, who offered a heartfelt acknowledgement of the athlete representatives gathered from across the Pacific region as part of the 2026 ONOC XLVI Annual General Assembly Week.

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Speaking on the final day of the Forum, which brought together athlete representatives from National Olympic Committees (NOCs) across Oceania, Dawson took to the floor to express her sincere gratitude on behalf of the NZOC as the host nation. Her remarks set a warm and purposeful tone for a closing day centred on action, empowerment and the enduring importance of athlete voice in Pacific sport governance.

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“Fantastic to host you here. Having you here is your gift to us. We've really, really thoroughly enjoyed being able to bring you into the General Assembly week.” — Liz Dawson, President, New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC)

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Dawson spoke to the richness of cultural exchange that had marked the week, expressing her hope that delegates would carry something meaningful home alongside the formal outcomes of the Forum. She reflected on the privilege of listening, learning and sharing across the diverse communities represented in the room, noting that the week had strengthened bonds that reach well beyond sport.

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Among the Forum's most significant moments was Dawson's announcement that she would be stepping down as Chair of the Oceania Equity Commission, a role she has held with dedication and distinction. She used the occasion to introduce her successor, a transition she described as deeply personal and entirely intentional.

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“This is one of my philosophies: bringing young women forward, bringing young men forward, because you are the future, and we want you sitting in these roles and sitting in these chairs and being active.” — Liz Dawson, President, NZOC

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Dawson was clear that the handover was not simply an administrative change, but a deliberate investment in the next generation of Pacific sport leadership. She emphasised that elevating emerging leaders into governance roles is central to her vision for a more equitable and athlete-centred sport movement. Her successor's appointment, she explained, would also serve to deepen the connection between the Oceania Impact Network and the region's athletes, ensuring that the work being done at the governance level is grounded in the lived experiences of those on the field of play.

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The theme of connectivity ran through the entirety of Dawson's address. She was emphatic that meaningful change in Pacific sport — particularly efforts to make it a safe and inclusive environment for all participants — cannot happen without the full and active engagement of athletes themselves.

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“We can't do what we do and what we want to do in the future to bring sport in the Pacific to be a safe and inclusive space without the athletes. You are at the centre of this.” — Liz Dawson, President, NZOC

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Her remarks were warmly received by Forum delegates and underscored the spirit that defined all three days of the 2026 Oceania Athletes' Forum: from inspiration to action, with athletes leading the way. The Forum is the first to coincide with the ONOC Annual General Assembly, offering athlete representatives an unprecedented opportunity to observe regional sport governance in action and to make their voices heard at the highest levels.