Leslie’s sporting achievements include gold medals at three consecutive Paralympic Games - in 2008, 2012 and 2016 - in the 150 metres individual medley SM4 category.

Last year he won the men’s 50m backstroke title at the World Para Swimming Championships in London.

He also helped New Zealand’s wheelchair rugby team - the Wheel Blacks - qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics by claiming bronze at the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation’s Asia-Oceania Championship.

Leslie holds a Bachelor of Communication Studies from Auckland University of Technology and has worked as journalist, swimming coach, event coordinator at Parafed Northland.

Leslie is currently the national Para swimming development coordinator at Swimming New Zealand, where he is responsible for growing the sport of Para swimming nationally at all levels.

He said he was looking forward to contributing to the Sport NZ board and making the most of this development opportunity.

"I’ve been fortunate to be involved at all levels of sport, from grassroots to elite, and I’m looking forward to making the most of this experience in governance and contributing to the important work of Sport NZ," he said.

"It’s an exciting time to be joining the board, with Sport NZ having recently launched a new 12-year strategic direction and its first disability plan.

"They have a wonderful new vision to get Every Body Active and I’m looking forward to contributing to that journey."

The intern position was created by Sport NZ in 2017 as part of its future directors programme to help develop young leaders with an interest in governance, and to further strengthen the board by adding greater diversity.

The first board intern, Chelsea Grootveld, held the position from March 2017 to March 2018 and is now a full member of the board of High Performance Sport NZ.

"Cameron is a talented and aspiring young leader, and the board is looking forward to working with him and contributing to his journey into governance," Sport NZ Chair Bill Moran said.

"The future directors programme has so far been a tremendous success, offering new perspectives and diversity of thought and discussion, and we look forward to continuing that through Cameron’s contribution."

Sport NZ’s board intern does not have voting rights but is able to attend all board meetings and to take part in board discussions.