Some might say that Hazel Ouwehand was destined to be in and around water after arriving into the world via a birthing pool.

Ouwehand began competitive swimming at the age of six, joining Te Awamutu Swimming Club with her two older sisters. Growing up, Ouwehand and her sisters juggled many sporting commitments; however, focus gradually shifted solely to swimming as time went on.

At age fourteen, Ouwehand won her first national age group medal. She then had a successful outing at the Victorian Age Championships in Australia, where she picked up five gold medals and a bronze across backstroke, butterfly, and medley events. Ouwehand represented New Zealand at the 2016 Australian State Team Championships, where she was nominated team captain.

In 2018, Ouwehand won her maiden New Zealand Championship title at eighteen. Ouwehand took gold in the 50m butterfly on day one of the open championships, followed by a second title on day two in the 100m butterfly.

Ouwehand made her senior international debut at the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in China, where she competed in the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly events, as well as several relays. A best finish of ninth place in the 4x100m freestyle capped off a successful first senior international competition.

Ouwehand moved to Phoenix Aquatics to train with coach David Lyles in 2019 after the national high-performance centre disbanded.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham saw Ouwehand make her debut as Aquablack #283. Competing in the 50m and 100m butterfly and backstroke events, she progressed to three semi-finals, with a best finish of tenth place in the 50m backstroke.

In the same year, she competed at the 2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), where she took on the 100m backstroke and was part of the New Zealand team that reset the national record in the 4x100m medley relay.

Ouwehand had a breakthrough performance at the 2023 New Zealand Swimming Championships, when she set her first individual New Zealand record in the 50m butterfly with a time of 26.12. The performance earned Ouwehand a spot on the team headed to the World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka – marking her second Aquablack appearance. In Fukuoka, she took on the 50m and 100m butterfly events and the mixed 4x100m medley relay.

Ouwehand has been a stand-out performer in 2024, breaking the 50m and 100m butterfly records almost every time she gets in the pool. Ouwehand qualified for Paris 2024 at the New Zealand Swimming Championships in Hawke’s Bay with a time of 57.43, setting a New Zealand record in the event. A few weeks before to the national championships, Ouwehand became the first New Zealand woman to break the 58 second barrier in the event.

In Hawke's Bay, she also clocked a New Zealand record in the 50m butterfly, becoming the first New Zealand woman to break 26 seconds in the event, with a time of 25.88.

Ouwehand graduated from Massey University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Accountancy. She currently works as a Senior Accountant at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway in Auckland, while studying to complete her CPA. After swimming, Ouwehand wants to complete a master’s degree, and become a highly sought-after and well-respected professional within the accounting industry. Ouwehand wants to inspire others to chase their dreams and give people a few laughs and smiles along the way.

Ouwehand is never short of inspiration. Her family, mum, dad, sisters, and recently passed aunty, have all been sources of inspiration for the 24-year old, as have world-class swimmers Sarah Sjostrom, Katie Ledecky, and Michael Phelps.

Come Paris 2024, Ouwehand is most looking forward to racing, but also to exploring the village, meeting new people, cultures and experiencing new things. She is also looking forward to enjoying a croissant at a café post-racing.

Becoming an Olympian has been a dream of Ouwehand's for so many years, and seeing all the hard work pay off is an amazing feeling. Although the Olympics Games have always been her goal, she feels it is only the beginning.

“I am proud to wear the Fern and represent New Zealand. I appreciate all the love and support from everyone and I’m excited to bring you along my journey with me as it progresses. Kia Kaha.”

Favourite quote – “Diamonds are made under pressure.”

💥 Qualified for Paris 2024 with a New Zealand record - 100m butterfly

Ouwehand broke the New Zealand record in the 100m butterfly at the 2024 New Zealand Swimming Championships in Hawke's Bay, earning her ticket to Paris 2024 with a stunning time of 57.43

💥 First New Zealand woman to break 26 second barrier - 50m butterfly

Also broke the New Zealand record in the 50m butterfly at the 2024 New Zealand Swimming Championships in Hawke's Bay, with a time of 25.88. In doing so, Ouwehand became the first New Zealand woman in history to go under the 26 second barrier in the event

💥 Set first individual New Zealand record - 50m butterfly

Ouwehand had a breakthrough performance at the 2023 New Zealand Swimming Championships, setting her first individual New Zealand record in the 50m butterfly with a time 26.12

💥 2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) New Zealand record - 4x100m medley

Was part of the team that reset the New Zealand record in the women's 4x100m medley at the 2022 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)

💥 Three-time semi-finalist at 2022 Commonwealth Games - 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke

Upon her Aquablack debut, Ouwehand was a three-time semi-finalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 50m butterfly (14th), 50m backstroke (10th), and 100m backstroke (15th) events.

💥 Senior international debut at 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25m)

Represented New Zealand at the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships in China, competing in the 50m, 100m, and 200m butterfly, in addition to several relay events