Eight new Dames and Knights for New Zealand

New Zealand has eight new Dames and Knights following the traditional Queen’s Birthday Honours announcement.

All together there are 170 recipients, including four new dames and four new knights.

The new dames are: Te reo advocate Hinewehi Mohi, who was the first person to sing the national anthem in Māori at an international rugby match; Ruia Morrison, a trailblazer in tennis for Māori and women; nursing educator Judy Kilpatrick and ecologist Professor Carolyn Burns, who is a prominent international authority on the ecology of lakes.

The new knights include: artist Grahame Sydney, best known for his landscapes of Central Otago, and Distinguished Professor Bill Denny, who has led anti-cancer drug research for more than four decades. Former All Blacks captain Buck Shelford, who promoted the use of the haka and is also an advocate on behalf of men’s health, and Michael Daniell, who has held management roles at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare for more than four decades.

Every six months the honours are announced. They recognise people for years of dedication serving their communities and the difference they have made to other people’s lives through their work.

Recipients come from all over the country from areas such as sport, science, health, education, law and conservation; some are politicians and some are artists.

There are three Orders in the New Zealand honours system;
The Order of New Zealand
Membership is made up of Ordinary, Additional and Honorary members. The Order of New Zealand is New Zealand’s most senior honour. The Order was started by Royal Warrant – dated 6 February (Waitangi Day) 1987 to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity.
Ordinary membership is limited to 20 living persons at any time.

The New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit was instituted by Royal Warrant dated 30 May 1996. The Order is awarded to those who, in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits.

The Queen’s Service Order
The Queen’s Service Medal is a medal awarded to recognise and reward volunteer service to the community and also public service in elected or appointed public office. It was established in 1975 and is related to the Queen’s Service Order.