Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has congratulated the recipients of the 2022 Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours.
Dame Silvia Cartwright, New Zealand's first female High Court judge, and renowned Māori leader Sir Tipene O'Regan have been appointed to the Order of New Zealand - the top honour in New Zealand's honours system.
The list of honours also includes three Dames and three Knights.
Former Silver Ferns head coach Ruth Ellina Aitken, youth justice advocate Judge Carolyn Henwood and lawyer and former university professor Dr Judith Helen McGregor will be made Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Meanwhile, kaumātua Dr Patrick Wahanga Hohepa, Queen's Counsel Heughan Bassett Rennie and Pacific health and wellbeing advocate Dr Collin Fonotau Tukuitonga will be handed the title of Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Other honourees include medical director of Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Dr Bryan Betty, who was approved as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit; and for Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft, who was awarded as a Companion of the Queen's Service Order.
Jacinda Ardern said the honours hold special significance this year as New Zealand reconnects with the rest of the world.
"Dame Silvia Cartwright richly deserves our highest honour for her huge contribution across many fields including women's health, justice and as our 18th Governor-General. Sir Tipene O'Regan has been pivotal in improving the economic, cultural and social standing of Māori communities," Ardern said.
"One of our newest Dames, Dr Judy McGregor, combined her passion for human rights and health to lift the voices and improve the lives of women, children and older people around the world.
"She is joined by Judge Carolyn Henwood for services to state, youth and the arts, having been instrumental in righting the wrongs of the past for survivors of abuse in state care; and netball legend Ruth Aitken, our most capped Silver Ferns coach in one of our most beloved sports."
Ardern also congratulated New Zealand's newest Knights, which include Dr Patu Hohepa, Dr Collin Tukuitonga and Hugh Rennie.
"Our newest Knights also reflect the very best of New Zealand: Dr Patu Hohepa is credited with a renaissance in te ao Māori, Dr Collin Tukuitonga who has undoubtedly improved the lives of our Pacific communities through his work on health and welfare, particularly ensuring high vaccination rates, and Hugh Rennie who has worked across many major companies and government agencies since the 1960s, much of his work pro bono."
The Prime Minister also shared congratulations for some of the other honourees, including the Pike River families' Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse.
"Following their own personal and significant loss at Pike River Mine, Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse have been tireless in their campaign for better workplace health and safety protections for all New Zealanders.
"Credited with many of the ski sector innovations that secured New Zealand's high standing across both international ski and tourism, Des Peters of Christchurch is honoured for his dedication to the industry that spans more than 40 years.
"Gloria Harihari-Hughes has been honoured for services to Māori and youth for her work within the Māori Wardens Association, including setting up teams to help following the Christchurch earthquakes, and to assist with the Waka Ama competition," Ardern continued.
"Instrumental in the dairy industry since Fonterra's creation in 2001, John Monaghan from Eketāhuna helped to strengthen the co-op at a crucial time in New Zealand's economic recovery from COVID-19.
"Finally, I acknowledge Benji Marshall, one of our hardest working rugby league players, alongside another sporting hero Ross Taylor, honoured for services to cricket as well as Pacific communities, having coached and supplied gear to young Samoan cricketers.
"This year the service of New Zealanders is being recognised alongside the 70 years of service by the Queen, the Platinum Jubilee, for which the honours list was renamed to reflect. To every single person honoured today, I join with those who know you best, and those who have benefitted the most, in thanking you for your mahi."
Deputy Prime Minister and Sports and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson also congratulated the Kiwi sports players who made the list.
