Olympic gold medallist and the first-ever kayak cross champion

Overview

Finn Butcher is one of New Zealand's newest Olympic champions — the gold medallist in the inaugural men's kayak cross event at Paris 2024. A Central Otago kid from Alexandra who first sat in a kayak at age three, Finn led from start to finish in the Olympic final to beat world number one Joe Clarke and become the first Kiwi man to win individual Olympic gold since Mahe Drysdale in 2016. His story is a study in patience, family and the long climb to a single perfect moment.

Who is Finn Butcher? Born in 1995 and raised in Alexandra, Finn grew up racing mates down the Kawarau and Clutha rivers. His father Dale was a long-time Coast to Coast multisporter, and there were always kayaks around. Finn was the New Zealand K1 reserve for Tokyo 2020 and gained NZ's Olympic quota spot at the 2023 World Championships. Less than a year later he stood on top of the podium in Paris. Off the water he is a former Dunstan High School student and now the school's first Olympic gold medallist.

Career Highlights • Olympic gold medal, kayak cross, Paris 2024 (the event's first-ever Olympic champion) • First Kiwi man to win individual Olympic gold since Rio 2016 • 2023 World Championships — secured NZ's Paris Olympic quota • Dunstan High School's first Olympic gold medallist • New Zealand K1 reserve, Tokyo 2020

Key Speaking Themes • Goal setting and the long road to gold • Performing under pressure on the biggest stage • Family, sacrifice and team behind the athlete • Resilience after disappointment • Backing yourself when no one is watching

What Your Audience Will Gain Finn is humble, grounded and Central Otago straight. Audiences leave inspired by what's possible with patient, single-minded commitment — and by the reminder that the people around you matter more than the medal.

Ideal For • Sales kick-offs and corporate offsites • Leadership and high-performance events • Schools and youth leadership programmes • Awards nights and gala dinners • Sport, performance and wellbeing forums

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Finn Butcher speak about? Goal setting, performance under pressure, family, resilience and what it takes to peak on a single Olympic day.

What did Finn Butcher win at the Paris Olympics? Gold in the men's kayak cross, the first-ever Olympic title in that event.

Where is Finn Butcher from? Alexandra in Central Otago. He attended Dunstan High School.

When did Finn Butcher start kayaking? At age three he was already in a kayak with his multisport father, and he formally took up the sport at a "have a go" day at age nine.

How significant was Finn Butcher's Paris gold? It was the first individual Olympic gold for a New Zealand man since Mahe Drysdale's win at Rio 2016.
Is Finn Butcher available for keynotes and panels? Yes. Finn is available for keynotes, panels and school visits across NZ on performance, resilience and pursuing a long-term goal.