Former Olympian Barbara Kendall, para-swimming coach Roly Crichton, Kiwi squash star Joelle King, women's Warriors coach Luisa Avaiki, Team New Zealand skipper Glen Ashby and golfing sensation Lydia Ko have all been recognised for services to their respective sports.
Kendall headlines the list by receiving the highest honour - the Companions of the NZ Order of Merit (CNZM) for her services to sport, while Crichton receives the Officers of the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM) award for services to Paralympic sport.
King, Avaiki, Ashby and Ko are recipients of the Members of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM) award.
Three-time Olympic medallist Kendall is regarded as one of New Zealand's most successful sportswomen, having competed in five Olympic Games (1992-2008), winning Gold (Barcelona 1992), Silver (Savannah 1996), and Bronze (Sydney 2000) competing in boardsailing.
Her gold in Barcelona was a special one, as it made her the first New Zealand woman to win an Olympic gold medal since Yvette Williams 40 years earlier.
She is now a member on the International Olympic Committee.
Crichton has been involved in five Paralympic Games, two as an athlete (1984-88) and three as a coach (2008-16).
A car accident as a teenager changed his life forever when a beach buggy he was in flipped which saw him bound to a wheelchair which led to some dark days.
But he went onto have a successful career in and out of the pool, giving over 40 years of service and dedication to Paralympic sport, winning six medals in the water before helping New Zealand's most successful Paralympian Sophie Pascoe to nine gold medals and six silver.
"It was a real surprise, but you reflect on how old you are and what you've done and it all adds up," he told Newshub.
"I love doing the four years' work building up to the Olympics, and then being able to deliver at the Games is a great feeling."
Meanwhile a call from the Government had Joelle King thinking she was in trouble with Inland Revenue. Instead, the New Zealand squash ace was asked to accept a New Year's honour for her services to the sport.
The Commonwealth Games gold medallist admits she almost hung up the phone.
"They'd sent me a letter, but I didn't receive it because I was out of the country and they sent it to my old address, so then they called me to ask if I was going to accept," she told Newshub.
"I was very sheepish when I got the call because the person said they were from the Government, I was worried I hadn't paid my tax or a speeding fine so it was a nice surprise knowing it was something good.
"It is nice when you're travelling the world knowing your country has recognised you and that feeling is extraordinary.
"It is a great way to end 2018 and kick-start my 2019 campaign."
Avaiki has been involved in rugby league for more than three decades, dating back to when she played for the Kiwi Ferns in 1995.
She went onto hold development and welfare roles at the Melbourne Storm and at New Zealand Rugby League, and now coaches the women's Warriors team in the WNRL.
"I was shocked but grateful," Avaiki said. "I felt honoured because I have been in the game for a long time, and you go about doing your work because you're passionate about it.
"I'm grateful I can still be a part of this game and help give back and contribute."
Australian-born Ashby worked alongside helmsman Peter Burling during their triumph in Bermuda as they won back the Auld Mug after beating Team USA 7-1 in June.
Ko has been on the professional circuit since 2013, and was world number one at one stage. She has 20 professional wins in her career, including a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.
Newshub.
