To be a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
MCLAY, The Honourable James Kenneth (Jim), CNZM, QSO
For services to business and the State
The Honourable Jim McLay was the New Zealand Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from June 2009 to May 2015.
In 2014 Mr McLay played a key role in leading New Zealand's successful bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council. He played an important role in promoting the work of small states within the multilateral context of the UN. Before his appointment to New York, he was Chairman of a number of companies including Macquarie Group Holdings New Zealand. He was Founder-Chairman of the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development from 2005 to 2006, and Patron until 2009. From 1998 until 2009 he was Convenor/Chair of the Project Manukau Audit Group, responsible for the environmental and resource management audit of Auckland's Mangere wastewater treatment plant. He was Honorary New Zealand Chair of the Trans-Tasman Business Circle, and a New Zealand delegate to the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum. He was previously the Member of Parliament for Birkenhead from 1975 to 1987, and is a former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Mr McLay was New Zealand Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission from 1993 to 2002.
HONOURS
Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Queen's Birthday 2003
Companion of the Queen's Service Order for Public Services, Queen's Birthday 1987
To be a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
SHARPLES, Dr The Honourable Pita Russell, CBE
For services as a Member of Parliament and to Māori
The Honourable Dr Pita Sharples was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1990 for services to Māori, and has since continued to serve Māori through his political career.
In 2004 Dr Sharples was one of the founders of the Māori Party, becoming co-leader before being voted in as the Member of Parliament for the Tamaki Makaurau electorate in the 2005 general election. He retained this seat until his retirement from politics in 2014. In 2008 he was appointed as Minister of Māori Affairs and the Associate Minister for Education and Corrections. In these roles he was instrumental in securing millions of dollars for Māori initiatives across the sectors of health, education, housing, corrections, Treaty of Waitangi settlement claims, and social issues such as domestic violence and gangs. He implemented a number of social support programmes to assist whanau, including family support workers and an initiative to support and mentor young and new parents. He established the Māori Economic Taskforce to explore opportunities for Māori business growth. He was instrumental in the development of a Māori Youth Council and established Te Paepae Motuhake, the Māori Language Review Panel. Dr Sharples established two units of kaupapa attached to prisons to assist prisoners repatriate to their whanau and communities.
HONOURS
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Queen's Birthday 1990
To be a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
TALIJANCICH, Mr Peter Ivan (Peter Talley), ONZM
For services to business and philanthropy
Mr Peter Talley is a joint managing director of Talleys Group Limited, one of New Zealand's leading producers of primary food goods.
Mr Talley has held various roes within the fishing industry including President of the New Zealand Fishing Industry Association and Chairman of the Seafood Industry Policy council. He has worked over his lifetime to promote the employment of New Zealanders in the fishing industry, including attempts to place Foreign Charter Vessels under the control of New Zealand labour laws. He was the instigator and a founding Trustee of the Seafarers Trust. He continues to support a range of charities in New Zealand, including the Motueka Hospital Trust behind the Jack Ingils Friendship hospital which opened in 2009. He funded the development of a museum facility in Nelson to host the World of Wearable Art collection. He is sponsor of a number of organisations and events including the Motueka Charity Golf Classic, Outward Bound and the Nelson Car Club rally. He has provided financial support for fundraisers held by the Rotary Club of Motueka for 25 years. Mr Talley was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002 for services to the fishing industry, export and the community.
HONOURS
Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit, Queen's Birthday 2002