Valerie Adams

A wedding, an Olympic medal and now a Dame – could her year have been any better?

Adams told Radio New Zealand she hoped she would inspire more women.

“It’s amazing, not only to be a woman, but also to be a Pacific Island woman,” she told the national broadcaster.

The Olympian was made a Dame for services to athletics.

Her title is the female equivalent of a knighthood.

Adams, 32, was named New Zealand’s first Sports Ambassador to the Pacific in October this year.

She recently returned from Samoa where she had been promoting the country’s Nobesity programme to young people.

Valerie Adams starts sports ambassador role in Tonga

Ms Adams, whose mother was Tongan, chose to make Tonga the first island nation she visits in her role as New Zealand's Pacific Sports Ambassador, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging participation in physical activity.

At a reception in Nuku'alofa she said she knew she bore a big responsibility to encourage and inspire Tongans to take part in the games.

Ms Adams says the 2019 Pacific Games should be an exciting time for Tonga.

Valerie Adams starts sports ambassador role in Tonga

Ms Adams, whose mother was Tongan, chose to make Tonga the first island nation she visits in her role as New Zealand's Pacific Sports Ambassador, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging participation in physical activity.

At a reception in Nuku'alofa she said she knew she bore a big responsibility to encourage and inspire Tongans to take part in the games.

Ms Adams says the 2019 Pacific Games should be an exciting time for Tonga.

'It wasn’t about the gold' - Steven Adams

RNZ reports the basketballer is in New Zealand for the NBA off season and to launch the first of three training camps.

The seven-footer said it was emotional seeing his sister return from knee surgery and then go on to compete at the Games.

"Everybody says it's disappointing [she didn't win the gold medal], but it wasn't about the gold.

"She looked like she went out there and really enjoyed it. She just looked happy competing again. That's the biggest thing."

Valerie Adams confirms engagement

Adams, who won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, posted the news of her engagement to Facebook and twitter early today.

“This happened a week a [sic] ago. #eternal life,” it said.

The announcement was accompanied by two photographs.