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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…

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…

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…

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…

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 years…

Sir Miles Warren, born 1929, is regarded as one of New Zealand’s leading architects and has been at the forefront of the industry for more than 40 years. He has been instrumental in the creation of many impressive and original private and public buildings…

Her Majesty The Queen Camilla has helped support The King’s relationship with New Zealand and has promoted various charitable causes in the United Kingdom, internationally and in connection with New Zealand. Her Majesty The Queen visited New Zealand as…

Sir Murray Halberg has been dedicated to athletics and charity work for over 50 years. His athletic feats, which spanned more than a decade, began in the 1950s and since retiring from sport, he has been involved in the community in a charitable capacity.…

Ken Douglas, born 1935, is a leading trade unionist and has been committed to and concerned with the working conditions in New Zealand for over 30 years. He has not only made a significant contribution to the trade union movement in New Zealand, but is…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 on…

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…

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…

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 for…

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 had…

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…

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’s…

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 Associate…

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…

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 engineering…

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 world…

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…

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…

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.  He was…

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 involved with…

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…