As part of Queen’s Birthday Honours to mark the Platinum Jubilee two people have received New Zealand’s highest honour, being made members of the Order of New Zealand.
The two new additional members of the Order of New Zealand are Dame Silvia Cartwright and Sir Tipene O’Regan.
Dame Silvia Cartwright said it is truly humbling to be given New Zealand’s highest honour, particularly in connection with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Dame Silvia has been a judge in New Zealand and overseas since 1981.
Sir Tipene O’Regan achieved his awards for recognition of his work with the Treaty Settlements. The 83-year-old said: “I’m feeling hugely appreciated as well as appreciative.”
Usually, there are only 20 members of the Order of New Zealand at any one time. However, additional members can be added to commemorate important royal, state or national occasions.
In total 187 people have received Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours today.
The list includes three new Knights and three new Dame Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
The new knights are Dr Patrick Hohepa for services to Māori culture and education, Heughan (Hugh) Rennie (CBE QC) for services to governance, the law, business and the community, and Dr Collin Tukuitonga for services to Pacific and public health.
Ruth Aitken (ONZM) has been made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to netball, along with Judge Carolyn Henwood (CNZM) for service to State, youth and the arts, and Dr Judith (Judy) McGregor (CNZM) for services to human rights and health.
