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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

Born 1900. Her Majesty, consort of the late King George VI, was appointed to the Order during her 90th year. Citation prepared 1990

Dame Ann Ballin has made an outstanding contribution to the welfare of New Zealanders. She was chairperson of the Victims’ Task Force from 1988 to 1993 and pioneered changes in the criminal justice system to ensure greater justice for victims of...

Born 1924. She is one of New Zealand’s foremost authors and literary figures. Citation prepared 1990

Dr Pickering has made an outstanding contribution to science and engineering, in particular relating to the exploration of the solar system which has been of immense international importance and benefit. He was born in Wellington and educated at...

Born 1917. He is regarded as one of the world's leading athletic coaches. He helped start jogging in many countries and the movement is now world-wide. Citation prepared 1990

Born 1923. For many years active in trade union movement. First women vice-president of the Federation of Labour (1981-87). Founder New Zealand Child Care Association. National chairperson of the New Zealand International Year of Peace Committee, 1986,...

Mr Lange, during the past twenty-five years, has made a major contribution to public affairs in New Zealand. He was the Member of Parliament for Mangere from 1977 to 1996 and served as Deputy and later Leader of the Opposition. In 1984, at the age of 41...

Born 1931. Arikinui (Head) of the Maori Kingship to which she was elected in succession to her father, King Koroki, the 5th Maori King, in 1966. She is the highest ranking person in the Tainui tribes who live in the Waikato. She is Patron of the Maori...

Sir Hugh Kawharu has an outstanding record of service as an academic and to the Maori people. In 1970 he was the foundation Professor of Social Anthropology and Maori Studies at Massey University. Between 1985 and 1993 he was Professor of Maori Studies...

Professor MacDiarmid has made an outstanding contribution to chemistry and the New Zealand science community. He was born and educated in New Zealand but has lived and worked in the United States of America since 1950. In 2000 he was one of three joint...

Sir James Fletcher, born 1914, has made an admirable contribution to the business industry and the community in New Zealand. He became the Managing Director of Fletcher Construction and Fletcher Holdings Ltd in 1942 and remained in that position until...

Sir Roy McKenzie, born 1922, is one of New Zealand’s leading dedicated philanthropists who has contributed to the community for over 50 years. He has spent half of his life contributing funds to areas of need in New Zealand society and being...

Sir Edmund Hillary, born 1919, is a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer and is one of New Zealand’s most famous living icons. He is most notable for conquering the summit of Mount Everest; however, he has also made significant contributions...

Dr Ivan Lichter, born 1918, is a retired thoracic surgeon who is regarded as one of the founding fathers of palliative care and the modern hospice movement in New Zealand. He has devoted his life to this branch of medicine, improving the standards of...

Doreen Blumhardt, born 1914, is one of New Zealand’s foremost potters and has worked as a ceramicist and arts educator for 70 years. She is considered to be a pioneer of art education and was head of the Art Department of Wellington College of...

Sir Paul Reeves, born 1932, made an outstanding contribution to the Anglican Church and the community.  He was Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia from 1980 to 1985 and was Bishop of Waiapu in 1971....

Mr Ralph Hotere is a painter, sculptor and collaborative artist and is regarded as one of New Zealand's most important contemporary artists. His works are a reaction to local and global social and environmental issues and are dominated by black,...

Dame Margaret Bazley has held senior leadership roles in the health and state sector for more than 50 years, most recently as Chair of the New Zealand Fire Service Commission from 1999 to 2011.She was Commissioner and Deputy Chairperson of the State...

Sir Peter Jackson is one of New Zealand’s best-known film-makers, and has made a leading contribution to the development of the New Zealand film industry. His work has not only brought him international fame, but has also widely promoted New...

Dame Malvina Major is one of New Zealand’s great opera divas. She has had an outstanding international career as a singer, but is also renowned as a teacher of voice and for her encouragement of the next generation of artists through the Dame...

Sir Ron Carter has contributed to New Zealand in the areas of regional and national infrastructure planning, governance, business and education. Sir Ron was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998 for services to...

Professor Sir Peter Gluckman is one of New Zealand's internationally recognised biomedical and medical scientists. Sir Peter's research focuses have ranged from the hormonal control of growth before and after birth, intrauterine growth restriction and...

Ms Joy Cowley has been one of New Zealand’s most prolific and successful writers since the 1960s and has made a strong contribution to both literature and literacy. Ms Cowley began her career writing novels for adults and published several such novels...

Dame Anne Salmond is an eminent writer and social scientist who is internationally recognised for her work since the 1970s on cross-cultural exchanges and environmental matters. Dame Anne is a Distinguished Professor of Maori Studies and Anthropology at...

Emeritus Professor Sir Mason Durie, over more than 40 years, has been at the forefront of a transformational approach to Māori health and has played major roles in building the Māori health workforce. Sir Mason has also championed higher education for...

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is the Field Marshal of the New Zealand Army, Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and Marshal of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. His time supporting The Queen as royal consort...

Dame Catherine Tizard, born 1931, has made a valuable contribution to community and public life in New Zealand. She has been active in a wide variety of community, welfare, and cultural organisations for more than two decades and is a strong supporter of...

Dame Miriam Dell, born 1924, has been at the forefront of women’s issues in New Zealand and internationally for more than three decades, promoting women’s advancement and equal rights in society. Her focus has been on creating the capacity for and...

The Honourable Dame Silvia Cartwright has dedicated more than 40 years to the law and became the first woman in New Zealand appointed to the High Court in 1993. Between 1987 and 1988, Dame Silvia chaired the Commission of Inquiry into the Treatment of...

Sir Tipene O’Regan has worked tirelessly throughout his life to improve the economic, cultural and social standing of Māori communities. Sir Tipene was pivotal in bringing about the 1997 Ngāi Tahu Deed of Settlement and the subsequent Ngāi Tahu Claims...

Why does community engagement matter when creating policy, and how do we make sure it’s done well? Across the public sector, we recognise that community engagement is no longer an optional extra. It’s also not enough to put a discussion document online...

Government departments have started work on their inaugural Long-term Insights Briefings. The political term, news cycle, and demand for immediate action can focus us as individuals and institutions on the present. The Long-term...