Aotearoa's most decorated Paralympian has officially become a Dame.
Sophie Pascoe was one of 15 to receive awards at an investiture ceremony in Christchurch.
And emotions were high for another recipient whose wife was killed in the mosque terror attacks.
Dame Sophie received the highest honour of her already successful career, where she was recognised for her services to swimming.
"I think this one will definitely be sitting in the middle with huge pride."
The ceremony was supposed to happen in July but COVID-19 forced Dame Sophie to miss out. Since then, she's won gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
The honour is dedicated to her biggest supporter, her nana, who died just days before the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
"I have her in my pocket actually with me today, but she got to be the first one that knew about this."
The day had special meaning for Farid Ahmed too, awarded the Order of Merit for services to interfaith communities.
Among the 51 killed in the mosque terror attacks was Ahmed's wife Husna.
"I was thinking about my wife… at the same time I was feeling happy."
Happy because he's been recognised for work that Husna would've been proud of - spreading the message of forgiveness here and abroad.
Ahmed also stunned the world by forgiving the gunman.
"I have one heart and if I fill my heart with love, where is the room for anger?"
Tuesday's honours were extra special - they were among the last signed off by the late Queen Elizabeth.
