Paul Allison

Paul has an extensive background in the sport sector, media and business. He was the Chief Executive of Sport Otago between 1994 and 2007 and CEO of Central Lakes Trust from 2007-2017.

He is a self-confessed sports fanatic whose life has centred around sport. 

As an athlete, Paul competed in 27 marathons (winning 13 of these) and represented New Zealand for eight years during the 1980’s and 1990’s. His achievements include winning the Pacific Rim Marathon title in Long Beach, California in 1993, seven times winner of the Dunedin Harbour marathon, two-time winner of the Christchurch marathon and he finished 23rd amongst a field of over 27,000 runners at the famous New York Marathon.

Although Paul has an extensive background in the sport sector he is probably best known for his long involvement with radio and television broadcasting. He was resident radio rugby commentator at Carisbrook from 1993 to 2011 and is currently known as the voice of Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium where he has called many famous Highlanders and All Black victories from the commentary box – a position he regards as the best seat in the house. He was also involved as an international television commentator at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games where he covered athletics, rugby 7’s and the triathlon.

He was the Chief Executive of  Sport  Otago between 1994 and 2007 during which time the organisation developed a reputation as one of the leading Sports Trusts in New Zealand.  He was responsible for planning the strategic  direction,  and leading new initiatives.  Between 2007-2017 Paul served as the Chief Executive of the Central Lakes Trust.  Here his responsibilities included maintaining a positive public profile, overall accountability for financial performance with a focus on risk management.  Assets of the trust grew from $189m to $350m under his stewardship.

He has served in a number of high profile sport-related roles, including being a member of the Sport New Zealand Board from 2007 until 2015, the New Zealand Masters Games Executive Committee, a Trustee of the Winter Games New Zealand Trust and a life trustee of the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation.   His governance experience also extends outside sport where he has served on the boards for Otago Polytechnic and The Lion Foundation amongst others.

A little known fact about Paul is that he wrote the Speight’s bottle top questions in 1998 – a task he regards as one of the biggest challenges he has been asked to perform. 

He was awarded a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to sport in 2015. 

These days based in Central Otago, Paul’s services as a highly entertaining MC and speaker on sport and/or business have been widely used throughout New Zealand. He remains passionate about sport and life in the South.

Presentations:

  • After Dinner
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Inspiration
  • Teambuilding
  • Master of Ceremonies (MC)

 

Testimonials:

‘Thanks for your input into our sports awards on Friday night. You did an awesome job. I don’t think I have ever seen Sid Going laugh so much as when you did the rugby commentary. What you did went down really well – so again many thanks’. Sport Northland


‘Thanks for the role you played at our conference. You did exactly what we wanted and make a great contribution’. Road Transport Forum NZ Inc.


'A quick note to say thanks once again. You did a great job'. Steve Ovett – Olympic Champion


'Paul you have established an incredibly high benchmark on how we should recognise the true treasures of New Zealand sport. Once again congratulations'. Don Tricker, SPARC.