Paul Spiller MNZM

Paul Spiller has been involved with the chess community as an organiser, administrator, sponsor and player for 40 years. He was appointed a New Zealand Chess Federation (NZCF) Councillor from 1977 to 1978, when he co-organised the Burroughs Computer Grandmaster tournament and led the New Zealand Women's team to Buenos Aires. During the 1980s he organised the NZCF Junior Championships and NZCF Women's Championship.  

Since then he has organised multiple International and Oceania Tournaments. He re-joined the NZCF Council in 2004. He became NZCF President from 2008 to 2014 and is currently Vice President. He has been World Chess Federation (FIDE) President of Oceania (Zone 3.6) since 2014, the highest organisational post attained by a New Zealander in chess. He received the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in New Year Honours 2019 for services to chess.