In 1986, he became governor of the NZ Sports Foundation and was chairman from 1992 to 1999. During this time, he was instrumental in securing private funds to assist the country's leading athletes.
Sir Paul was also a member of the Rugby 2011 World Cup Bid Committee which won the hosting rights for the World Cup and was a director of Rugby NZ 2011 Limited.
He is currently an executive director of a private investment company, a director of Wellington Rugby and the Hurricanes, an adviser to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and chairman of Sport NZ and High Performance Sport NZ.
"I've had a long association with sport, I've been incredibly fortunate to indulge in my passion."
He said New Zealand was the envy of other countries.
"More kids are involved in sports than any other country in the world, it's just fantastic."
Sir Paul was born in Wellington but has a long association with Martinborough and has lived there for 12 years with his wife of 20 years.
His mother was born in the town, his grandparents are buried in the cemetery and his great grandfather built Wards Line.
He said he had planned to break the news to his wife, three adult children and four grandchildren on Boxing Day.
Other knighthoods received in the Wellington region went to prominent architect Ian Athfield, innovator Neville Jordan, and NZ Catholic Education Office CEO Brother Patrick Lynch.
