Toby Cunliffe-Steel

Toby Cunliffe-Steel is a brain tumour survivor and former New Zealand rower turned sports administrator. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2007 that was surgically removed in Starship Hospital. He started rowing the year before in 2006, was first selected for a New Zealand representative team in 2009, and continued to represent New Zealand internationally until 2016, which included being the first and only New Zealand rower to win a medal at a World Universiade, a global Olympic-style multi sport event in its then 28th edition. Outside of his career as an athlete, he holds a Master of Sport Management, has fulfilled various leadership and governance roles, and is an outspoken sports and athlete advocate. He received his education from Matahui Road Primary School, Tauranga Intermediate, and Tauranga Boys' College. Encouraged by his parents, he participated in Gymnastics, Rugby, Cricket, Soccer, Volleyball, Netball, Inline Hockey, Basketball, Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics and reached a regional representational level in Water polo. He has since completed multiple short courses with the University of Waikato's Management School and the Elevate Leadership Programme facilitated by the Community and Enterprise Leadership Foundation.

During his time as a professional athlete, Cunliffe-Steel worked at New Zealand's preeminent water sports facility, Karapiro Rowing. After retiring, he consulted for Rob Waddell's company, Waddell Associates, before moving into the technology industry to join a start up that is now New Zealand’s leading satellite internet service provider, Gravity Internet. He underwent successful surgery at Starship Hospital to have the tumour removed. He would go on to represent New Zealand each year through to 2016. In 2012, he stroked the Lightweight Men’s Coxless Four at the Under 23 World Championships in Trakai, Lithuania, finishing 8th with James Hunter (rower), Adam Ling and Finian Scott. In 2013 and 2014, he competed in the Lightweight Double Sculls with Matthew Dunham, first at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia, finishing 7th, and then at the Under 23 World Championships in Varese, Italy, finishing 9th. In 2016, he and Adam Ling attempted to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in the Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls at the Final Olympic Qualification regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland, placing 6th with a 3rd placing or better needed to qualify. His first national title was at the Maadi Cup (New Zealand Secondary School National Championships) in the Boy's U18 Lightweight Coxed Four in a crew that included what would be his international crewmate, Adam Ling. After moving to Cambridge, New Zealand, to join the centralised programmes of Rowing New Zealand and the Waikato Regional Performance Centre, he developed a fondness for the local communities and transferred his club affiliation from the Tauranga Rowing Club to the Waikato Rowing Club. He went on to win national titles in the Coxless Quad Sculls, Lightweight Double Sculls, Coxless Lightweight Pair, Championship Double Sculls (University)

Cunliffe-Steel collaborated with rowing boat manufacturer Lazslo Boats to create an innovatively designed boat. Māori artist Daniel Ormsby was selected to decorate the boat Cunliffe-Steel raced domestically. Drawing from Māori traditional artistry and their shared ties to the Waikato Region, Ormsby decorated it with a Taniwha, a legendary creature from Māori folklore. This distinctive design gained global attention, leading to a trend of creatively designed rowing boats, with Lazslo Boats receiving commissions for similar vessels worldwide.

In 2017, Cunliffe-Steel exhibited extreme fatigue and regular sickness that significantly impacted his training. He also returned to domestic rowing, winning a bronze medal in the Men's Single Sculls at the 2022 National Championships and gold in the Men's Coxless Quad Sculls at the 2023 National Championships.

Honours and awards Cunliffe-Steel receiving his seventh Prime Minister's Scholarship. Cunliffe-Steel has received several accolades and honours in recognition of his sporting achievements and leadership capabilities.

The Prime Minister's Scholarship (Seven-time recipient)

The Adastra Foundation Scholarship (Four-time recipient)

Perago Trust Scholarship Massey University Elite Sports World Travel Award

Young New Zealander of the Year Certificate of Achievement

Massey University Academy of Sport Scholarship

The Arrow Foundation Leadership Scholarship

Cunliffe-Steel was elected to the Drug Free Sport New Zealand Athlete Commission in early 2023, and appointed Chairperson later that year. Also in late 2023, Cunliffe-Steel was appointed to the Integrity Transition Programme Athlete Reference Group, advising the government on secondary legislation that will guide New Zealand's impending sport and recreation integrity system and its singular, independent Integrity entity.

Personal life Cunliffe-Steel has been in a relationship with his partner, Stephanie Upton, since 2017. Their daughter was born in December 2022.