Manukau Mayor Len Brown says Manukau city councillor Sir John Walker deserves his knighthood in the Queen's Birthday honours list.
"Sir John has been a wonderful advocate of Manukau and his service to sport and the community has been outstanding," says Mr Brown.
"He is a very special New Zealander who has never lost sight of his roots.
"Throughout his successful athletics career, which included achievements on the Olympic and Commonwealth games stage, Sir John has never forgotten where he comes from and where he still lives," says Mr Brown.
Mr Brown says Sir John's work with the John Walker ‘Find Your Field of Dreams' Foundation has ensured the young people of Manukau are provided opportunities.
"We have seen successive programmes rolled out in the foundation's first year, including free learn to swim lessons for year three and four students, Club Smart helping to strengthen local sports clubs and AMP'd that provides recreation activities for young people city-wide, and it is thanks to Sir John's vision, " says Mr Brown.
Manukau City Council chief executive Leigh Auton praised Sir John's work as a councillor.
"For more than a decade, Sir John has made a tremendous contribution to the council as a councillor and as a community leader," says Mr Auton.
"Sir John is respected not only within council, but the wider community and his vision and work in the Foundation will ensure that his legacy continues. We are proud to call him one of our own."
