Donate Now
Paralympian Profile

Mathew Butson #85

Matthew Butson, New Zealand Paralympian

Born in Invercargill and now living in Queenstown, Matt was an avid skier before his accident at age 17. The apprentice carpenter was involved in a car accident in Wanaka, resulting in the loss of his left leg below the knee and his left arm below the elbow. Para alpine skiing was suggested to help Matt rehab from injury and move in a new direction away from carpentry. Matt made his Paralympic debut at the Lillehammer 1994 Paralympic Winter Games, along with 6 other Kiwi Para alpine skiers. 4 years later, Matt won gold and is New Zealand’s most prolific medallist at a single Paralympic Winter Games.

At the Nagano 1998 Paralympic Winter Games, Matt won 3 gold medals in Men’s Giant Slalom LW9, Men’s Slalom LW9 and Men’s Super-G LW9, rounding out his haul with a silver in Men’s Downhill LW1. Today, Matt still enjoys skiing and works as a property manager in Queenstown.

Matt officially received his ‘numbered’ Paralympic pin as part of The Celebration Project in Queenstown in September 2020.

Paralympic Results
Paralympic GamesResult
Lillehammer 1994 Paralympic Winter Games
Nagano 1998 Paralympic Winter Games

Profile

You may also like

You may also like

  • Corey Peters on podium in Beijing 2022

    Gold medal sit-skier awarded MNZM

    Paralympian Corey Peters has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2023 New Year Honours. As New Zealand Paralympian #188, Corey has represented New Zealand at three Paralympic Winter Games:…
    Read More about Gold medal sit-skier awarded MNZM.
  • Corey Peters presents Aaron Ewen with Paralympic pin

    Winter Paralympian Aaron Ewen recognised with official number

    Photo: Corey Peters (left) presents Aaron Ewen (right) with his official numbered Paralympic pin. Credit Snow Sports New Zealand. The 2022 Snow Sports NZ Awards Night presented by Racers Edge was the setting for a special…
    Read More about Winter Paralympian Aaron Ewen recognised with official number.
  • young visually impaired skier with guide

    Don’t miss the 2022 Adaptive Snowsports Festival!

    Thank you to Snow Sports New Zealand for this guest article. Thank you to photographer Simon Darby for the fantastic photos in this article. In just under two weeks’ time, from 5-7 August, the Adaptive Snowsports…
    Read More about Don’t miss the 2022 Adaptive Snowsports Festival!.

Our Partners

Major Partner

Official Partners

Team Supporters

Official Suppliers

Funding Partners