Commonwealth Games: New NZOC boss Nicki Nicol targets Kiwi-hosted Games after taking top job

Just months after settling into the seat as New Zealand Olympic Committee boss, Nicki Nicol already set some major targets.

Having previously worked for New Zealand Rugby, Nicol took over from Kereyn Smith earlier this year, off the back of the country's most-successful summer and winter Games.

And Nicol's determined to build off that, with a Games here among what she wants to achieve.

Nicki Nicol and Dame Valerie Adams.
Nicki Nicol and Dame Valerie Adams. Photo credit: Image - Photosport

"I would love New Zealand to host a Commonwealth Games," she told Newshub.

Just whether that's the 2030 or 2034 event though, she hasn't decided.

"It's probably too early to say, but we'd certainly be really keen to start having some conversations around that, now that there's a new formula with how they can be run."

That formula is a preference for regions, or even countries, to host Commonwealth Games, rather than just cities.

That was further enforced with the Australian state of Victoria, last week being awarded the hosting rights for 2026.

And Nicol wants to put a Kiwi spin on it.

"Only swimming and athletics are compulsory as part of Games bids for Commonwealth Games," Nicol added. 

"So it does give us opportunities that Kiwis have done well in the past too, like rowing and canoeing."

For now though, with the Birmingham Games 100 days away, Nicol has the both daunting, and exciting task, of guiding a New Zealand team, just months after taking over.

That's not the only intimidating job though, having replaced Kereyn Smith, a trailblazer for the Olympic movement.

"She told me to just do it your way. Kereyn, likewise, went as she went along as well. 

"But her key message is also the athlete is at the centre of what you do.

"My way, I'm a very inclusive leader, quite high on collaboration when you look at the role that we've got, as part of the sport sector, collaboration is really important. 

"So working closely with High Performance Sport New Zealand, the national sporting organisations - we've got an exciting 10 years, working towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympics."

Athletes are also keen to help with advice - among them, shot put legend, Dame Valerie Adams, who worked with Smith for much of her career.

"For me it's just having the good relationship with athletes and making sure that they listen, and try and help them as much as possible," Dame Valerie told Newshub. 

"At the end of the day, everybody wants medals, we want medals as well, it's just making sure we do it in the right way."

The cost of success on athlete wellbeing has been a big focus - something Nicol wants to address as well.

"Games readiness is probably the term we use internally. And that goes across a number of dimensions. Not just NZOC. 

"Selections is one - understanding of selection processes, right across to the environments."

Add that to the list, alongside a potential home Games.