Paralympian Cameron Leslie appointed Toyota New Zealand Brand Guardian

Toyota New Zealand is proud to announce Paralympic swimmer and Wheel Black Cameron Leslie as the marque’s newest brand guardian, the first Para sport athlete to join the remarkable Kiwis who personify Toyota’s values and ambitions.

Cameron Leslie has dominated Para sport since first splashing onto the scene as a young swimmer. He has won gold medals in Beijing, London and Rio Paralympic Games, and smashed world records in the specialised Men’s 150m Individual Medley SM4 event.

He most recently won gold at the Manchester 2023 Para Swimming World Championships earlier this month, showing that he is well prepared as the one-year countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games begins today.

Toyota New Zealand Vice President, Andrew Davis, says Toyota is incredibly proud to name Cameron Leslie as a Toyota Brand Guardian.

“Cameron is the kind of inspirational Kiwi we’re grateful to support,” he says. “This official partnership builds upon our longstanding relationship with Cameron, which began with the "Start Your Impossible" campaign in 2021.”

“We’ve been extremely impressed by his work to change perceptions of disability in sports in recent years. Not only has he conquered the world of Para Swimming, but as Disability and Para Swimming Participation Manager at Swimming New Zealand, he’s dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Para athletes. We’re eager to support him in his mission.“

“It’s exciting to think of the places we’ll go together, inspiring people to push past their finish line and past their impossible,” continues Davis.

The partnership with Cameron Leslie reflects Toyota New Zealand's deep-rooted involvement in the Paralympic movement, with its global emphasis on leveraging the power of sport to transform perceptions of disability and promote inclusivity.

By working together, Toyota New Zealand and Cameron aim to inspire individuals across Aotearoa, New Zealand to challenge stereotypes and pursue their ambitions, regardless of the obstacles they may face.

"I’m thrilled to continue my partnership with Toyota New Zealand as we work to inspire others to overcome their personal barriers,” says Cameron. “Having the support of a company that champions mobility for all is extremely meaningful. I can’t wait to see what we achieve together.”

Toyota New Zealand believes mobility goes beyond cars and should be accessible for everyone. It is about overcoming challenges and making dreams come true, which is the basis for the transformation of Toyota from a car company to a mobility company.

As part of its commitment to mobility for all, Toyota New Zealand is proud to have been a major partner and official vehicle supplier of Paralympics New Zealand since 2017. Globally, Toyota has partnered with the International Paralympic Committee as the Worldwide official Mobility Partner since 2015.