Ngaire Lane took up swimming as a schoolgirl, earned three New Zealand junior national titles in 1940, in the 50 and 100 yards freestyle, and set the first of her many national records in the 50 yards backstroke. She earned national senior titles in the 100 and 220 yards backstroke in 1944, the first two of 14 that she would win through 1949. During this time, she competed in several international tournaments, none of which were as prestigious at the 1948 Summer Olympics, where she represented New Zealand in the 100 metres backstroke. She came second in her round one heat, behind only Dutchwoman Ria van der Horst, but was eliminated in the semi-finals. She retired from active competition after the 1949 season and, by career, she was a secretary. Her granddaughter Gina Galloway competed in swimming at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.