The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has appointed Cantabrian Tony Hall as chef de mission for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
Hall has strong associations with snow sports in New Zealand, including at the South Island Academy of Sport Centre of Excellence.
He also mentors a rangeof people involved in sport, education and business, which appealed to NZOC secretary general Barry Maister.
"Tony is an exceptional team builder and will create a strong and positive environment and an expectation of high performance at Vancouver 2010," Maister said.
Between 10 and 15 athletes will represent New Zealand at the Olympic Winter Games.
Meanwhile, Maister also announced the appointment of Barry Larsen as chef de mission for New Zealand teams competing at this year's Commonwealth Youth Games at Pune, India and next year's Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
The Commonwealth Youth and Youth Olympic Games are part of an increasing line-up of Games the NZOC is committed to between now and the London Summer Olympics in 2012.
New Zealand will send teams away to a total of ten Games, including five Youth Games in India, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom.
