Overnight FIFA named a list of 30 referee trios from 28 countries – Mexico is the only other country to have two referees named – with Auckland naval officer Hester and Hamilton school teacher O’Leary emulating the All Whites in qualifying for South Africa.

The 37-year-olds are now vying to become the first New Zealander to referee a match at the finals of a FIFA World Cup, following in the footsteps of assistant referee Paul Smith, who ran the line for three matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan.

O’Leary learned the news early on Saturday morning and the Hillcrest High School teacher was elated for both himself and his compatriot.

 “It’s very satisfying. Both myself and Mike have put in a lot of hard work and a lot of people including family and employers have been very understanding,” O’Leary said.

“The hard work’s paid off, but it’s not time to rest on our laurels. The really hard work begins now.”

Hester, who only became a FIFA referee in 2007, said the ascent of the kiwi pair could not be put down to any one factor.

“It’s been one adventure after another,” Hester said.

“It’s really a combination of things; hard work, the support of family and friends, support from work and the refereeing fraternity, development programmes from New Zealand Football and OFC plus opportunity and timing. Then there are the exchange programmes that NZF has with the Dallas Cup and English Premier League which have been invaluable.”

Two other kiwis feature in the Oceania trios as assistant referees with Jan Hintz joining Tonga’s Tevita Makasini in Hester’s team and Brent Best alongside Mathew Taro (Solomon Islands) in O’Leary’s triplet.

“It’s a fantastic result to see four New Zealand match officials among an elite list heading to South Africa,” said New Zealand Football Referee Development Officer Ken Wallace, “and hugely inspiring for others coming through our system.”

The selection road began in 2007 when FIFA named an extended group of 54 trios whittled down to the current group of 30 based on performances at FIFA tournaments and assessment during FIFA training camps.

O’Leary has earned his place following solid showings at FIFA Club World Cups in each of the last three years, and FIFA U-20 World Cups in 2007 and 2009, and Hester staked his claim at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Both referees have featured in the A-League and New Zealand Football Championship this season.

In May FIFA will select 24 acting trios with the remaining six operating as reserves or fourth officials during the tournament.