New Year Honours 2014

Two Dames and four Knights are among the New Zealanders recognised in the 2014 New Year Honours list announced today.

To become Dame Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit are fashion designer Trelise Cooper and businesswoman Alison Paterson, both of Auckland.  The four new Knight Companions are: Māori educator Dr Toby Curtis, of Rotorua; Anglican leader Archbishop David Moxon, currently based in Rome; former Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker; and thoroughbred industry leader Peter Vela, of Hamilton.

In addition to Sir Robert, several other former local government leaders have also been recognised.  Former Southland Mayor Frana Cardno becomes a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and former Napier Mayor Wendy Arnott becomes a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order.  As well, former Matamata-Piako Mayor Hugh Vercoe, former Waimate Mayor John Coles, former Timaru Mayor Jane Annear, former Westland Mayor Maureen Pugh, former Buller Mayor Patrick McManus, former Ruapehu Mayor Susan Morris and former Otorohanga Mayor Dale Williams become Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Others to be honoured include retiring Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force, Lt Gen Rhys Jones, and Auckland fashion designer Karen Walker, both become Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit, while veteran film director, Geoff Murphy, becomes an Officer of the Order.  Appointed as Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit are Santa Monica-based television presenter Phil Keoghan, Royal NZ Ballet managing director Amanda Skoog, esteemed Wellington poet Jenny Bornholdt and Auckland author Eleanor Catton, who recently won the prestigious Man Booker Prize for her book, The Luminaries.

To read the full list, click here