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The CabGuide provides practical information and advice for public servants and Ministers’ offices on the procedures and operation of the New Zealand Cabinet, Cabinet committees, and the Executive Council. The information on CabGuide is intended to...

Michael Duffy, born 1938, served as a Member of the Parliament of Australia from 1980 to 1996, however, he has maintained close connections with New Zealand since his childhood. He held a number of ministerial portfolios, including Minister for...

Lord Cooke is regarded as one of the foremost jurists New Zealand has produced. He is held in the highest regard not only in New Zealand but also the United Kingdom and in other countries of the Commonwealth. He was appointed a Judge of the High Court in...

Emeritus Professor Albert Wendt is a novelist, poet, short story writer, playwright and painter. Since the 1970s he has been an influential figure in the development of New Zealand and Pacific literature and is regarded internationally as one of the...

Mr Richard McCaw has been a member of the All Blacks since 2001 and Captain since 2006, and is regarded as New Zealand’s finest rugby player. Mr McCaw captained the All Blacks to victory in the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups. He played in the 2003 World...

Lady Blundell, born 1922, is the widow of Sir Denis Blundell (the Governor-General of New Zealand from 1972 to 1977). Over the years, she has made a contribution to New Zealand society through a wide range of community and welfare work. She has been...

Long serving Labour MP and sometime Leader of the Opposition. Citation prepared 1987

Sir Sonny Ramphal, born 1928, has made a significant contribution to international affairs for over 25 years. In spite of his high international standing, he remains loyal and dedicated to the issues of development in his Caribbean homeland and is...

Margaret Mahy, born 1936, is one of New Zealand’s greatest authors of children’s literature and is regarded as one of the best authors of English books for children in the world. As well as writing many prolific, popular, and award winning...

Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, born 1932, has been active in a wide-range of educational, welfare, cultural, and community programmes for Maori people for over 30 years. She has worked towards the harmonious relationship between the Maori and European New...

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, born 1944, is one of the world’s leading opera soprano singers and celebrated contemporary figures and nearly 30 years after she made her debut, she has continued to enthral and entertain audiences around the world. Whilst she has...

Jim Bolger, born 1935, was the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1990 to 1997 and has had a noteworthy career in politics for over 20 years. He led the New Zealand National Party for 12 years and achieved the biggest electoral victory in New Zealand...

Cliff Whiting, born 1936, is one of New Zealand ’s influential contemporary Maori artists. He is highly esteemed in the field of Maori carving, having led carving and other traditional Maori art into the 20th century and forged new cultural directions...

Mike Moore, born 1949, has had a successful career in New Zealand politics for over 25 years. He was the youngest person to be elected to parliament at the age of 23 as the Member of Parliament for Mount Eden, a position he held till 1975. He then went...

Cardinal Williams, born 1930, has led the Catholic Church in New Zealand since 1979 and is often considered as the voice of the New Zealand Catholic community. He has played a significant role within the Christian community in New Zealand. Over the...

Jonathan Hunt, born 1938, served as a Member of Parliament for New Lynn from 1966 to 1996 and as a List Member of Parliament from 1996 to 2005. He is affectionately known as ‘Father of the House’, having had an illustrious career in politics spanning...

Professor Lloyd Geering, born 1918, is one New Zealand’s most eminent theologians. He was ordained as a Presbyterian Minister of the Kurow Presbyterian Parish in 1943 and served in the Opoho and St James Parishes until 1956. He was the Honorary...

Sir Brian Lochore, born 1930, has made a significant contribution to the sport of rugby as a player, coach, and administrator at both a national and international level. He made his All Black debut in 1963 and went on to play 25 tests for New Zealand; 18...

Professor Stead is regarded as one of New Zealand's leading poets, novelists and critics. Professor Stead has been involved in New Zealand Literature as a poet, novelist, critic and academic for over 55 years. He was an Professor of English at the...

Sir Owen Woodhouse had a distinguished legal career as a lawyer, jurist and chair of government commissions. He was a law partner from 1946 to 1961 prior to his appointment to the New Zealand Supreme Court. Sir Owen was appointed a Judge of the New...

Sir Kenneth Keith has had extensive experience in the area of international law and is considered New Zealand’s pre-eminent international law expert. He was a faculty member of Victoria University of Wellington, Dean of the Law Faculty from 1977 to 1981...

Mr McKinnon was a Member of Parliament from 1978 to 2000. In the course of his long parliamentary career, he was the longest serving Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 1990 to 1999 and held the portfolios of Disarmament and Arms Control, Veteran...

Ms Clark was the longest serving leader of the New Zealand Labour Party and became Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008. She was the first female Prime Minister to win office at an election and the fifth longest...

Since becoming a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1999, Sir Bob Charles has continued to play international golf, support and mentor young players, and donate one percent of his income to New Zealand golf through the Sir Bob Charles...

President of the Federation of Labour. Citation prepared 1988

Past President of the Maori Women’s Welfare League. She was at the forefront of Maori issues for over 60 years. Citation prepared 1991

Born 1905. Former Diplomat (High Commissioner to Western Samoa from 1949-60). He was the First New Zealand Ombudsman 1962-75 and served as Chief Ombudsman 1975-1977. Citation prepared 1990

Businessman and patron of the arts. Citation prepared 1988

Born 1921. Eminent scientist. Emeritus Professor of Microbiology, University of Auckland. Citation prepared 1988

Born 1919. An eminent public servant and economist. Secretary to the Treasury 1969-77. He was also a lay member of the High Court. Arts patron. Citation prepared 1989

Born 1902. The doyen of New Zealand educationalists. Director of Education 1940-60. He held senior UNESCO appointments overseas and was New Zealand Ambassador to France 1960-63. Citation prepared 1987

Born 1910. The elder statesman of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. Master of Knox Theological College 1963-78 and a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. He was active in a variety of community and welfare organisations....

Born 1907. At the time of his appointment to the Order he was the senior New Zealand Privy Counsellor (appointed 1968). He was a Judge of the High Court from 1957 to 1962 and the Court of Appeal from 1962 to 1976. He was President of the Court of Appeal...

Born 1915. Composer. Tutor, lecturer, senior lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor of Music, Victoria University of Wellington, 1947-79. Member of numerous music organisations. Citation prepared 1988

Born 1911. Poet, critic and dramatist. On the staff of the English Department of Auckland University 1951-76. Author of over 18 volumes of poems. In 1989 received The Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. Citation prepared 1990

Born 1916. Anglican Bishop of Aotearoa from 1968 to 1981. During this period and in his retirement he made a significant contribution to Maoridom, in particular as a Member of the Waitangi Tribunal. Citation prepared 1989