Barrett represented New Zealand at three Olympic Games, four Commonwealth Games and six World Championships in Athletics.
His highlight was gaining the silver medal in the 50km Race Walk at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games, just reward for Barrett after his well publicised withdrawal from the previous Commonwealth Games walk in Kuala Lumpur due to dehydration.
Barrett's best placing at the World Championships was seventh in 1999 in Seville.
He holds four New Zealand records, over 20km, 30km, 50km and for the two hour walk.
Barrett won 32 New Zealand titles over various walking distances from 3000m on the track to 50km on the road. His first senior title was over 30km in Wellington in 1993 and his last was over 20km in Christchurch earlier this year.
Murray McKinnon for the IAAF