Kirsten Hellier

Hellier was born in Tokoroa. Her father, Lionel Smith, was a hurdler at the 1950 British Empire Games.^[2] From age five to eleven, her family lived in Samoa where her father was a construction worker. Having lived in Samoa later helped with understanding cultural issues when it came to coaching Adams.^[3]

Hellier placed eighth at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in the women's javelin throw. She competed in the same event at the 1992 Summer Olympics where she placed 17th overall in qualifying with a throw of 59.34 m. At the 1994 Commonwealth Games, she won the silver medal in the women's javelin with a throw of 60.40 m.^[4] Hellier was trained by the decathlete Max Stewart.^[3]

Hellier currently works at Macleans College as a sports co-coordinator.^[2]

In 1990, Hellier was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.^[5] She won the Halberg Awards Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008.^[6]

In the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours, Hellier was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sport, particularly athletics.^[7]

In 2020, Hellier was appointed to Athletics New Zealand in a key coaching role as Athletic NZ Programme Coach.^[8] An interview with Hellier was featured in the 2022 documentary film Dame Valerie Adams: More than Gold.^[9]