Sir Donald David Rowlands KNZM CBE AM (17 June 1926 – 18 March 2015) was a New Zealand rower and businessman.

When aged five, Rowlands contracted rheumatic fever and had congested lungs, and missed a year's school as a result.

[2][3] At the 1950 British Empire Games he won the silver medal as part of the men's eight alongside crew members Donald Adam, Kerry Ashby, Murray Ashby, Bruce Culpan, Thomas Engel, Grahame Jarratt, Edwin Smith and Bill Tinnock.

At the next British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, he won the gold medal in the men's single sculls.

[9] In the 2015 New Year Honours, shortly before his death, Rowlands was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and rowing.