Kings Birthday Honours Announced

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New Zealand has announced 176 recipients of the King’s Birthday 2024 Honours List, highlighting their significant contributions to New Zealand. The list includes two new Dames and two new Knights.

One of our new Knights is Peter Beck, the founder of Rocket Lab. He has been knighted for his significant contributions to New Zealand’s space sector.
Beck’s company has completed nearly 50 space missions, launching over 150 satellites into orbit. His achievements have placed New Zealand on the global space map, with Rocket Lab now recognized alongside major companies like SpaceX.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JUNE 10: RocketLab CEO, Peter Beck poses for a portrait at the company’s Auckland headquarters 

New Dames and Knights

Dame Theresa Gattung: Recognized for her services to women, governance, and philanthropy. Gattung was the first female CEO of a NZX-listed company and co-founded the Gattung Foundation and Coralus (formerly SheEO), supporting women’s causes and innovations.

Dame Joan Withers: Honored for her work in business and governance. Withers has chaired major companies like The Warehouse Group and Auckland International Airport, promoting gender equality in corporate leadership.

Sir Peter Beck: Founder of Rocket Lab, Beck has significantly advanced New Zealand’s space industry, now worth $1.69 billion. His company has launched over 150 satellites and is a key player in global space exploration.

Professor Peter Hunter: A leading bio-engineer, Hunter is known for his work in medical science, particularly in computer modeling of human organs. He founded the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and leads the international Physiome Project.

Prime Minister Luxon praised the honorees, stating, “New Zealand is a better country for the contributions each of these people have made over many years.” He emphasized the impact of their work on communities and the nation, acknowledging their decades of service and dedication.

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