Date: 25th May 2026
Kirstin Daly-Taylor has been inducted into the New Zealand Basketball New Zealand Hall of Fame in Wellington over the weekend, recognising her outstanding contribution to the sport as a player, coach, mentor and leader.
Daly-Taylor’s basketball journey began at an early age, earning selection as Junior Tall Fern at just 15 years old before progressing to the Senior Tall Ferns at 17.
While attending the New Zealand Basketball Academy, her selection into the Tall Ferns helped launch an international career that included a Division 1 full scholarship to Colorado State University in the United States.
She went on to represent New Zealand at the 1994 World Championships and captained the Tall Ferns at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Following her playing career, Daly-Taylor remained hugely involved in the game, serving as assistant coach for New Zealand Tall Ferns at the 2004 Summer Olympics and becoming the first female coach in the men’s National basketball League with the Hawke's Bay Hawks.
In Hawke’s Bay, Daly-Taylor is widely respected for her contribution to secondary school and representative basketball. Over a 32-year career in education, she served as Assistant Principal and Director of Basketball at Napier Boys' High School, helping build a strong basketball culture while mentoring generations of young athletes.
Reflecting on her Hall of Fame induction, Daly-Taylor said she felt both humbled and grateful.
“It’s pretty special when you look back on the journey and all the people who have been involved along the way,” she said.”” Hawkes Bay people need to feel that they are a part of this”
“Basketball has made me who I am and given me so many opportunities, friendships and experiences over the years, and I’ve always loved being able to give back to the game, especially here in Hawke’s Bay.”
“I still enjoy helping young players pursue their dreams of becoming Tall Blacks or Tall Ferns through my involvement with Basketball Hawke’s Bay and the Big Barrel Hawks.
Recently, Daly-Taylor stepped away from education to begin a new career in real estate with Tremains Real Estate. She said the move was inspired by a desire for a new challenge and the strong community values of the Hawke’s Bay company.
Daly-Taylor said long-time friend Simon Tremain supported and encouraged her transition into the industry.
“After 32 years in education, I felt ready for something different,” Daly-Taylor said.
“Tremains is a strong Hawke’s Bay brand with deep community ties, and that was really important to me.”
Her induction into the Basketball New Zealand Hall of Fame recognises not only an elite international playing career, but also decades of leadership, mentorship and service to basketball in Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand.