Sam Tanner is an up-and-coming middle-long distance runner hailing from Tauranga, New Zealand. He is Māori; his iwi affiliation is Ngāpuhi.

Sam's breakthrough came in 2020 when he competed at the New Zealand Track and Field Championships, winning the 1500-meter race. This victory served as a springboard for his subsequent successes and solidified his position as one of New Zealand's most promising runners.

In 2021, Sam's talent reached new heights as he represented New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympic Games, describing the experience with ”I am frothing, fizzing, buzzing … everything. I’m just super over the moon. I was hoping for an Olympic qualification, we worked hard and got it, so I’m super stoked”.

Sam isn’t content with his achievements just yet, with goals to break Nick Willis’ New Zealand national record, as well as win a medal at Paris 2024.

Away from the track, Sam has returned home to Papamoa after a brief stint in the US, is an avid surfer, loves fishing and cycling.