To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
ANDERSEN, Ms Catherine Joy (Cath)
For services to the music industry
Ms Cath Andersen (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga) has been Chief Executive of the New Zealand Music Commission (NZMC) since its inception in 2000, providing leadership and support to the New Zealand music industry for 25 years.
Ms Andersen has played a pivotal leadership role in the growth and resilience of the New Zealand music industry, developing numerous programmes and administering funding and support for the music community. She has helmed New Zealand Music Month since its inception in 2001, which has become a cornerstone of the cultural calendar, fostering national pride and boosting awareness of local music. Her work with the Outward Sound programme has significantly enhanced New Zealand’s global music profile, enabling New Zealand artists to access international audiences. She has led the NZMC through a period of immense transformation in the music industry, including the rise of digital streaming, the Global Financial Crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Her collaborative responses to these challenges, and her ability to develop new and practical ways to support and strengthen the music industry, have helped safeguard the livelihoods of music professionals. Ms Andersen has advocated for the power of music to effect positive change in society, through initiatives such as Music Mentoring in Schools, and the music support and mental health charity MusicHelps.
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
BOYD, Mr Wayne Robert
For services to business, philanthropy and sport
Mr Wayne Boyd has held numerous directorships and leadership positions on many boards since the 1990s and is well-regarded for his business acumen at the top echelon of New Zealand corporate governance.
Mr Boyd has been Chair of Meridian Energy, Auckland International Airport, Telecom New Zealand, Freightways Ltd, and Vulcan Steel. He brought his commercial acumen to Ngāi Tahu Holdings in a period where settlement proceeds required investment for the long-term benefit of Ngāi Tahu. He has been a Trustee of the Boyd Clarke Foundation since 2011, which has provided multi-year support for the Centre for Brain Research and the Liggins Institute at Auckland University, scholarships for Whanganui City College and support for the Auckland City Mission among other organisations and causes. He was Trustee of the Neurological Foundation from 2015 to 2020. He coached the New Zealand Women's Hockey Team in the 1984 Olympic Games and the 1987 Hockey World Cup. He chaired the New Zealand Hockey Federation from 1995 to 1999. He has been Trustee and Chair of the Halberg Foundation between 2012 and 2019. He chaired the NZSAS Foundation from 2014 to 2019, increasing the capital base by 70 percent to support former soldiers. Mr Boyd chaired the New Zealand Blood Service from 1998 to 2004.
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
CLIFTON, Professor George Charles
For services to structural engineering
Professor Charles Clifton is an internationally recognised authority on the structural and fire response of multi-storey steel framed buildings and their construction.
As structural engineer at HERA (Heavy Engineering Research Association) in Auckland from 1983 to 2007, Professor Clifton established the structural steel service at a time when the use of steel in multi-level buildings was almost non-existent. He has made significant contributions to standards, guidelines and research programme development in the steel industry. His focus has been on making steel framed buildings not just safe during seismic events but also durable to make structures reusable. From his innovations, notably the sliding hinge joint, buildings can remain serviceable and not require demolition following a seismic event. The sliding joint concept is now used extensively nationally and internationally. His contributions have been significant in the rise in use of steel in high-rise structures, with the majority of Canterbury rebuild structures utilising steel frames. He helped form what is now Steel Construction New Zealand. He is currently Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Auckland, having been Associate Professor from 2007. Professor Clifton has had a role on the Expert Advisory Group to the NIST National Fire Research Laboratory in Washington, United States, is widely published and a sought-after international presenter and visiting professor.
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
FALKENSTEIN, Mr Anthony Edwin (Tony), ONZM
For services to philanthropy and business education
Mr Tony Falkenstein has continued his education-centric philanthropic contributions across a range of tertiary institutions and schools since his appointment as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010, particularly focusing on business education and future entrepreneurs.
In 2019 Mr Falkenstein established the Vanguard Programme at the University of Auckland Business School, a planned five-year programme for 14 selected students to travel to Silicon Valley for 10 days to learn about entrepreneurship ecosystems. He has since funded the programme for a second cohort tour beginning in 2024. In 2019 he funded students from Waikato University Bachelor of Business Programme to undertake exchanges with international business schools. He was a member of the AUT Business School Advisory Board from 2011 to 2018 and joined the Waikato Management School Business Advisory Board in 2017. He recently donated $500,000 to the Waikato Management School for international study tours. He was a driving force in the establishment of the New Zealand Chapter of the global Entrepreneurs’ Organisation in 2012. He is a member of New Zealand Asian Leaders, which aims to accelerate Asian leaders’ contributions to New Zealand. Mr Falkenstein was the first New Zealander to be inducted into the international Beta Gamma Sigma Society in 2012 and was recognised as a KEA World Class New Zealander, receiving the award for ‘New Thinking’ the same year.
HONOURS
Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, New Year 2010
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
JOYCE, The Honourable Steven Leonard
For services as a Member of Parliament
The Honourable Steven Joyce was a senior Minister in the Fifth National Government and was a List Member of Parliament from 2008 to 2018.
Mr Joyce variously held the portfolios for communications and technology, economic development, infrastructure, science and innovation, regulatory reform, small business, finance, transport and the portfolio of tertiary education, skills and employment for five years. He had ministerial responsibility for resolving some of New Zealand’s most difficult issues, such as Novopay, the government response to the grounding of the Rena and a botulism scare. He led the initial rollout of New Zealand’s ultrafast broadband network and created the concept of roads of national significance (being essential routes that require priority treatment). As the Minister of Economic Development, he put in place a new regulatory regime to enable space launches in New Zealand, enabling the growth of this high-tech industry. He became National spokesperson for finance in opposition between 2017 and 2018, before stepping down from politics. Earlier in his career Mr Joyce was a radio host and established Energy FM in New Plymouth, which became RadioWorks New Zealand. With others, he built RadioWorks over 17 years into a network of 22 radio stations and 650 staff before its sale in 2001.
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
MACKINNON, Mr Donald Angus (Don)
For services to sports governance
Mr Don Mackinnon has been one of New Zealand’s leading sports directors, heavily involved across several key periods.
Mr Mackinnon is Chair of the Sport Integrity Commission, and before that, chaired the Sport and Recreation Integrity Working Group. He is the Chair of the Super Rugby franchise the Blues, leading a revival of the organisation, with the club becoming champions in 2024 having not won a championship in 21 years. He was a director of Netball New Zealand for nine years from 1998, the last three years as Chair, during which he led the launch of the Tasman Trophy and the hosting of the Netball World Championship in New Zealand. He has been director of several other organisations including Sport New Zealand, High Performance Sport New Zealand, and New Zealand Cricket. He is involved in the governance of international sports as Chair of the Integrity Vetting Panel of World Athletics. He was also integral to the establishment of High Performance Sport New Zealand. Mr Mackinnon has conducted several significant independent reviews on sports related matters including a 2015 review of the Sports Tribunal of New Zealand, processes at High Performance Sport New Zealand and led a 2020 review into the future of Super Rugby New Zealand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
MAYHEW, Professor Emeritus Ian George (Joe)
For services to the veterinary profession, especially equine medicine
Professor Emeritus Joe Mayhew is a world authority in his field of equine neurology and large animal medicine.
Professor Mayhew authored a textbook which is recognised as an essential equine medicine reference for veterinarians. From 1977 to 1988 he was Associate Professor then Professor of the Department of Medical Sciences at the University of Florida, significantly impacting the development of the school’s teaching and research programmes. From 1988 to 1994 he was Head of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences of the Animal Health Trust United Kingdom. From 1994 to 2006 he was Professor of Equine Studies and Chair of Veterinary Clinical Studies of the University of Edinburgh, where he oversaw the building of a new veterinary hospital and developed successful clinical training research programmes. In 2006 he returned to New Zealand as Professor of Equine Studies at Massey University, enabling the Veterinary School to become a world leader by ensuring compliance for accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical association. He has been Professor Emeritus since 2017 and Editor for the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association since 2014. Internationally he has been a Board member of various professional colleges in the United States, Europe and New Zealand, and was President of the European College of Veterinary Neurology for three years. In retirement, Professor Mayhew implemented a test in New Zealand for inherited deafness in certain dog breeds.
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
MCKEE, Dr David Edwin
For services to New Zealand Sign Language and the Deaf community
Dr David McKee is a recognised expert in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) and a key figure in establishing NZSL-related programmes.
In 1992, Dr McKee and his wife established and taught New Zealand’s first full-time sign language interpreter training course at Auckland Institute of Technology (now AUT). He was instrumental in setting up the New Zealand Sign Language Teachers Association (NZSLTA) in 1992 and the Sign Language Interpreters Association of New Zealand in 1994. He was the first Deaf Lecturer and Researcher at a New Zealand university, co-establishing Victoria University’s ‘Certificate in Deaf Studies: Teaching NZSL’ course in 1997. As Director of the Deaf Studies Research Unit from 2002 until 2019, he conducted groundbreaking research. He was Consulting Editor of the first dictionary of NZSL, remains on the NZSL Online Dictionary editorial team, and holds an Adjunct role in the Deaf Studies Research Unit. He helped set up a bilingual committee at the Auckland-based Kelston Deaf Education Centre. He has delivered Deaf culture and NZSL teaching workshops, and initiated immersion camps. Since 2013, he has been a member of the NZSL Sector Advisory Group (SAG) under the Ministry of Education. He was Chairperson of Deaf Aotearoa Holdings Limited from 2016 to 2021. In 2020, Dr McKee was awarded life membership of NZSLTA.
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
NATHAN, Mr William Charles (Bill), OBE, ED
For services to Māori
Mr Bill Nathan has co-led Ngāti Pōneke Young Māori Club for the past six decades, leading numerous generations of young Māori in Wellington in their search for cultural connectivity and identity and representing New Zealand as cultural ambassadors internationally.
Mr Nathan has been President of the Ngāti Pōneke Young Māori Club for several terms since 1980, is involved with the Ngāti Pōneke Māori Association and was elected in 2014 as inaugural Chairperson of the Wellington Māori Committee. He has represented several delegations to Japan with the Wellington Sakai Association. He has facilitated participation of Māori cultural groups in various international cultural festivals. He is Chairman of Hutt Valley Anglican Social Services, a Trustee of the New Zealand National Society of Alcohol and Drug Dependency from 1990, Trustee of the National Health and Disability Advocacy Service Trust, and Board member of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network and chaired its Treaty Partner Te Rōpū Ārahi until retiring in 2024. An Ordained Priest in Hui Amorangi Ki Te Upoko O Te Ika he has been delegate to several church boards and committees, including Tikanga Māori Mission Council and the biennial Anglican Māori Synod Te Runanganui. From 1983 until 2003, Mr Nathan and his wife provided care for young persons for the Children and Young Persons Service.
HONOURS
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Military), New Year 1984
Efficiency Decoration, 1972
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
RAMEKA, Dr Lesley Kay
For services to Māori and early childhood education
Dr Lesley Rameka (Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tukorehe) is an influential scholar and educator highly regarded in early childhood education (ECE).
Dr Rameka is the leading Māori academic in early learning in New Zealand, dedicating over 30 years to ensuring tamariki have quality education and a deep understanding of te ao Māori and tikanga Māori. Her work on curriculum, assessment and teaching qualifications has been instrumental in professionalising Māori-medium ECE. Her involvement has been central to Kaupapa Māori learner assessment in the sector, providing research guidance and resources for all ECE teachers to use Māori concepts and values in the classroom. She was project coordinator for ‘Te Whatu Pōkeka: Kaupapa Māori assessment for learning’ published in 2009. She has led or written key curriculum resources for the Ministry of Education and was an Expert Advisory Group member for implementation of Te Whāriki in 2017. She has been principal or associate investigator with several Teaching Learning and Research Initiative, Ministry of Social Development and Marsden-funded research projects. Her research has shaped early childcare services for the wellbeing of Māori and Pacific children. In 2021 she was awarded Te Tohu Pae Tawhiti by the New Zealand Association for Research in Education. Dr Rameka was National President of Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood New Zealand between 2018 and 2023 and remains a Council member.
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
RICHARDSON, The Honourable Ruth Margaret
For services as a Member of Parliament and to governance
The Honourable Ruth Richardson served as the Minister of Finance from 1990 to 1993 in the Fourth National Government, the first female to hold this portfolio.
Ms Richardson represented Selwyn as a Member of Parliament from 1981 to 1994. As Minister of Finance, she was the principal architect of New Zealand's second wave of market style reform and is known for her pioneering Fiscal Responsibility Act 1994, which instituted a set of rules that ensured that fiscal policy was prudent. The range of reforms she championed left a legacy of high levels of employment, strong growth, budget surpluses and low debt. Many of these reforms have endured in New Zealand, and worldwide are regarded as setting best practice for modern Public Financial Management. After leaving political office, she established a global consultancy for New Zealand-style public policy reform. Her parallel governance career included variously holding the positions of Director and Chair of private and public companies in the agri-business, information technology, biotech, finance and utilities sectors. She served as a Director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand from 1999 to 2004. She is a Trustee of the Christchurch Early Intervention Trust, which provides multi-disciplinary early intervention services to infants and young children with significant disabilities. Ms Richardson is currently Chair of the New Zealand Taxpayers Union.
HONOURS
New Zealand Suffrage Centennial Medal 1993
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
TAN, Dr Ai Ling
For services to gynaecology
Dr Ai Ling Tan has contributed significantly to gynaecology in both public health and clinical practice, nationally and in the Pacific.
Dr Tan has implemented innovative treatment approaches that have resulted in improved outcomes for patients and her research contributions have helped enhance clinical practice guidelines. She is a mentor for low to middle income countries for the International Gynaecological Cancer Society and trained the first Pacific-based gynaecological oncologist in Fiji. She has helped as a content expert for cancer policy development in Pacific countries, including the National Samoa Cancer Programme and Action Plan, and runs workshops for the Pacific Society of Reproductive Health, building in-country expertise. She is Deputy Chair of the Steering Committee of the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in the West Pacific partnership. Within New Zealand, she has contributed to reviews and guidelines including the National Cervical Screening Programme guidelines and as external reviewer for the Parliamentary Review in Cervical Screening. She was a founding Trustee for the New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Foundation from 2003 and Medical Advisor from 2017 to 2023. She is recognised as having had an impact on raising awareness of gynaecological cancers and promoting early detection and prevention strategies. Dr Tan has represented New Zealand on the committees of several Australasian and Asia Oceania gynaecological organisations.
To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
THOMAS, Dr Mark Greenslade
For services to people living with HIV/AIDS and antibiotic research
Dr Mark Thomas is an Infectious Diseases Physician, whose research and educational efforts have made him a leading trusted source of information on antibiotic prescribing and as a clinician advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Dr Thomas began supporting people living with HIV/AIDS in the 1980s, advocating for better treatments and reducing stigma. He helped establish and provide clinical support for the New Zealand Aids Foundation (now the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa). He gave numerous educational sessions about HIV/AIDS, including writing the book ‘HIV Explained’ which continues to be used for teaching within hospitals and universities. Over his career, he has made significant contributions to multiple national advisory bodies on infectious diseases including HIV and antibiotic matters and has assisted various community organisations supporting people living with HIV/AIDS. His leading promotion of the proper use of antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance has been crucial to preserving the efficacy of vital drugs for current and future use. He has conducted extensive research on antibiotic use, helping to develop programmes to optimise their use. He developed educational resources to limit unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and improve prescribing initiatives. Dr Thomas has been instrumental in writing and development of the New Zealand Antimicrobial Resistance Action plan and other key reports and policy.