New Zealand has honoured Valerie Adams (32) with the title of Dame in their annual New Year honours list. Dame Valerie is the youngest woman to become a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM). 

Upon receiving the honour, Dame Valerie stated online "I'm very humbled and honoured to receive this award...to be recognised in this way is very humbling for me. I'm a very proud New Zealander and very proud to have this so bestowed. I'm delighted.

"I have had great opportunities to work in the community here in NZ and In the Pacific, sharing my stories and experiences to help provide inspiration, motivation, and hope, where I can for our youth to pursue their goals and develop their talents in sport, in school, in life," Dame Valerie said.

She is among three women to be appointed the title of Dame in the 2017 honours list, which was released on New Year's Eve by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (New Zealand).

The honour recognizes Dame Valerie's sporting achievements and services to New Zealand - she has represented New Zealand in three Olympics in shotput, winning gold in Beijing 2008, gold London 2012, and silver in Rio De Janeiro 2016.

In the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Valerie at just 20 years of age, won the gold medal in shot put and broke a two decade long Commonwealth Games record of 19.00 m with a throw of 19.66 m.

Late last year, Valerie Adams was appointed as New Zealand's first Pacific Sports Ambassador. She visited Tonga in November, promoting healthy living and sporting participation.