barbie doll

Barbie have created a Dame Valerie Adams doll to honour her successes

ValerieĀ spoke to the HeraldĀ about the process of getting the Barbie created...

"I'm six foot four [1.9m], I'm a big Pacific Island woman. Never in my mind would I have thought something like this would be possible," she said.

"To have them choose me was surprising but also very exciting it's an amazing campaign and I'm really honoured to be a part of it."

"They got all the details right," Valerie continued.

President and Vice-President Barbie doll introduced

Unveiling its latest President and Vice-President edition of the iconic doll, the world's largest toymaker Mattel said it aimed "to inspire girls to become leaders".

"With just 39 per cent of girls saying that they want to be a leader, President and Vice-President Barbie will serve as an inspiration for girls to pursue their dreams and imagine what they can become," the statement said.

Mattel has had presidential and candidate Barbies since 1992, but the all-female ticket is breaking new ground.