Adams becomes a Dame

Dame Valerie Adams hopes her latest honour will service to inspire her Pacific people.

The double Olympic Games gold medallist received the Insignia of a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to athletics at a ceremony at Government House in Auckland on Wednesday.

Adams, 32, a four-time world champion, received her insignia from the Governor General Patsy Reddy.

Her husband, Gabriel Price, was among the audience.

Adams hoped she inspired others. ‘‘I hope this opens many doors to inspire our Pacific people, and lets them know it is possible to do what you’ve got to do and get reward for it.

‘‘This would be on a par with winning an Olympic gold medal. It was an emotional ceremony because it’s so meaningful to the country, my family and myself as a proud Kiwi.

‘‘I don’t think you can stop giving or helping at community, school or church level. That’s my duty now. I’m helping out a discus thrower and another couple of girls who are trying to lose weight. The best thing you can give someone is your time, and my schedule is allowing for that.’’

Between 2008 and 2016 Adams won two gold medals and one silver for shot put at the Olympic Games. She had a 56 competition winning streak between 2010 and 2014.