King’s Birthday Honours List 2026

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has praised the 178 recipients recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, thanking them for their contributions to making New Zealand “a stronger and better country”.

Six people were elevated to the rank of Knight or Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, including Sir Paul Baker for his internationally recognised work in paediatric anaesthesia and airway management, Sir Peter Boshier for his distinguished legal and public service career, Sir James Chapman for his influential literacy and dyslexia research, and Sir David Ellis for his contributions to thoroughbred racing and philanthropy.

Dame Susan Hassall was honoured for her leadership in education and community service, while Dame Elizabeth Rata was recognised for five decades of work in education, curriculum development and bilingual learning. Luxon said the achievements and service of all recipients deserved national recognition and congratulations.

Full list of recipients

DNZM

To be Dames Companion of the said Order:

• Mrs Susan Jean Hassall, ONZM, JP, of Cambridge. For services to education.
• Professor Elizabeth Mary Rata, of Auckland. For services to education.

KNZM

To be Knights Companion of the said Order:

• Dr Paul Andrew Baker, of Auckland. For services to health.
• Mr Peter Francis Boshier, of Wellington. For services to the State and the judiciary.
• Professor Emeritus James William Chapman, of Palmerston North. For services to literacy education.
• Mr David Charles Ellis, CNZM, of Ngaruawahia. For services to the thoroughbred industry and philanthropy.

CNZM

To be Companions of the said Order:

• Dr Reuben Tuwhakahekeao Collier, MNZM, of Rotorua. For services to Māori and education.
• Professor Caroline Anne Crowther, of Auckland. For services to maternal and perinatal health.
• Dr James Alfred Farmer, KC, of Auckland. For services to the law.
• Miss Beatrice Roini Liua Faumuinā, ONZM, of Auckland. For services to sport and governance.
• Emeritus Professor Pare Areta Keiha, QSO, of Auckland. For services to Māori and education.
• Mr Riki Henare Manuel, of Christchurch. For services to Māori art.
• Mr Bryan William Mogridge, ONZM, of Auckland. For services to children’s health, governance and philanthropy.
• Ms Chloe Smith, of Auckland. For services to the screen industry.
• Ms Hilary Anne Souter, of Wellington. For services to the advertising industry.
• Mr Peter John Thompson, of Auckland. For services to philanthropy and rugby.

ONZM

To be Officers of the said Order:

• Mr Douglas Seymour Alderslade, of Auckland. For services to the racing industry.
• Mr Richard Walter Ashford, of Ashburton. For services to business, particularly the textile craft industry.
• Associate Professor Nicola Cecile Austin, of Christchurch. For services to children’s health.
• Mrs Ronelle Kiterangi Baker, of One Tree Point. For services to children and people living with disabilities.
• Miss Suzannah Wilson Bates, of Auckland. For services to cricket and basketball.
• Dr Ronald Alan Beatson, of Motueka. For services to horticulture .
• Mr Evan Welch Davies, of Auckland. For services to business and governance.
• Ms Margaret Ruth Davy, of Auckland. For services to nursing and women’s health.
• Ms Karleen Mae Everitt, of Haruru. For services to Māori and business.
• Inspector Ross Grantham, of Palmerston North. For services to the New Zealand Police.
• Dr Te Ripowai Pauline Higgins, QSM, of Lower Hutt. For services to education and Māori.
• Ms Jennifer Margaret Hughey, of Christchurch. For services to community law and governance.
• Mr Trevor David Janes, of Auckland. For services to business and public sector governance.
• Mrs Adrienne Anne Jansen, of Porirua. For services to writing and publishing.
• Mr Samuel Robert Johnson, of Auckland. For services to the community and youth.
• Dr Michael Brian Johnston, of Wellington. For services to education.
• Mr Rauru Kirikiri, of Wellington. For services to Māori, science and conservation.
• Mr Earle Weston Kirton, of Upper Hutt. For services to rugby.
• Dr Yvonne Marie LeFort, of Auckland. For services to Breastfeeding Medicine.
• Mr Russell George Lowe, of Te Puke. For services to horticulture and the kiwifruit industry.
• Mr Geoffrey John Maber, of Hamilton. For services to agribusiness.
• Mr Garry John Macdonald, of Auckland. For services to wastewater engineering.
• Dr Colin David Mantell, of Wānaka. For services to health education, obstetrics and gynaecology.
• Mrs Susan Louise Nolan, of Auckland. For services to drug testing and forensic toxicology.
• Mr Scott O’Donnell, of Invercargill. For services to business.
• Mr Stephen John Parker, of Auckland. For services to governance and the community.
• Mr Baye Michael Riddell, of Tokomaru Bay. For services to Māori clay art.
• Mrs Rahera Shortland, MNZM, of Kerikeri. For services to Māori language education.
• Ms Ann Robyn Smaill, of Arrowtown. For services to speech-language therapy.
• Mr Barry John Soper, of Auckland. For services to journalism.
• Mrs Archna Tandon, JP, of Lincoln. For services to ethnic communities and women.
• Mr Hamish John Logan Taverner, of Palmerston North. For services to people with learning disabilities.
• Mr Murray Neville Thom, of Auckland. For services to the arts and philanthropy.
• Ms Sandra Dawn Thompson, of Auckland. For services to governance, education and children.
• Dr Leslie Gail Van Gelder, of Glenorchy. For services to conservation and dark sky sanctuaries.
• Mr Kenneth Ivan Williamson, KStJ, QSM, JP, of Hamilton. For services to governance and the community.
• Mrs Sharon Mary Williamson, of Auckland. For services to hockey.
• Mr Rodney Jack Wong, of Palmerston North. For services to business and the community.
• Dr Keith Bernard Woodford, of Lincoln. For services to agriculture and agribusiness.
• MNZM
  To be Members of the said Order:
• Emeritus Professor Peter Vaughan Adams, of Dunedin. For services to music and music education.
• Lemalu Freddie Ah Kuoi, of Kaikohe. For services to rugby league and the community.
• Dr Lesley Ansell, of Auckland. For services to midwifery.
• Emeritus Professor Gilbert Olivier Barbezat, of Dunedin. For services to gastroenterology.
• Mrs Barbara Beable, of Wānaka. For services to athletics.
• Dr Michael Edward Beable, of Wānaka. For services to athletics.
• Mr Wayne Lindsay Bradshaw, of Havelock North. For services to senior citizens and the community.
• Professor Sharon Mary Brownie, of Kamo. For services to health and nursing education.
• Mr Daniel Gerard Buckingham, of Auckland. For services to people with disabilities and wheelchair rugby.
• Ms Elizabeth (Irihapeti) Jane Bullmore, of Christchurch. For services to seniors’ health, particularly Māori.
• Dr Luk Sun Chin, of Cambridge. For services to health and harness racing.
• Dr Paul John Davidson, of Blenheim. For services to documentary filmmaking.
• Mr Gary William Diprose, of Auckland. For services to youth.
• Professor Richard George Douglas, of Auckland. For services to rhinology.
• Mr Mervyn Gerard English, of Invercargill. For services to governance and the community.
• Mr Okesene Seanoa Faraimo, of Porirua. For services to the community, Tokelau language and culture.
• Mr Mark David Fisher, of Auckland. For services to sexual health, particularly people living with HIV.
• Mr John Flowers, of New Plymouth. For services to the community.
• Ms Kendall Maree Flutey, of Christchurch. For services to business and financial literacy.
• Dr Mark Robert Fraundorfer, of Mount Maunganui. For services to health, particularly men’s health.
• Mr Patrick George John Gale, of Auckland. For services to education.
• Ms Sumati Govind, of Lower Hutt. For services to governance and the community.
• Dr Rachael Wendy Griffiths-Hughes, of Hamilton. For services to music.
• Mr Colin Joseph Ronald Groves, of Hamilton. For services to business, philanthropy and sport.
• Mr Joseph Simon Hollander, JP, of Palmerston North. For services to the construction industry and the community.
• Mr Michael Ian Joseph Kawana, of Masterton. For services to Māori and the community.
• Miss Fane Fusipongi Ketu’u, JP, of Auckland. For services to Tongan language education.
• Ms Lisa Helen Kingi, of Auckland. For services to rugby, particularly player welfare.
• Dr Shuchi Tarun Kothari, of Auckland. For services to the screen industry.
• Ms Janice Kuka, of Tauranga. For services to Māori health.
• Ms Vicky Maree Lassen, of Havelock North. For services to netball and Life Saving.
• Dr Miles Richard James Lattimer-Gregory, of North Walsham, Norfolk, United Kingdom. For services to theatre.
• Ms Elizabeth Anne Lee, of Auckland. For services to refugees, migrants and education.
• Inspector Neru Grant Leifi, of Christchurch. For services to the New Zealand Police and the community.
• Mr Douglas MacGregor Lind, of Cromwell. For services to conservation and Search and Rescue.
• Mrs Filomena Loheni, of Auckland. For services to Pacific fashion.
• Associate Professor Chai Hop Mary Low, of Hamilton. For services to accountancy education.
• Ms Shirley Anne Mackay, of Auckland. For services to swimming.
• Mrs Elizabeth Jane Maire, of Auckland. For services to conservation and education.
• Mrs Terese Karen Marr, of Auckland. For services to ADHD support and philanthropy.
• Ms Alison Mary McDonald, of Ōtaki. For services to translation and interpretation services.
• Mr Alan Stuart McIntyre, JP, of Auckland. For services to education.
• Mr Bruce McLachlan, of Ruakākā. For services to education.
• Group Captain Andrew John McWilliam, AFC, AE, of Hamilton. For services to the New Zealand Defence Force.
• Mr Terence Reginald Joseph Nicholas, of Winton. For services to Māori and governance.
• Mr Charles Robert Norrish, of Rangiora. For services to education.
• Mrs Tofa Robertina O’Halloran, of Auckland. For services to education and the Niuean community.
• Leota Pauga Esitone Pauga, of Auckland. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
• Mr Morris Charles Pita, of Auckland. For services to governance, business and Māori.
• Ms Michele Margot Poole, of Dunedin. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
• Mr Dean William Rangihuna, of Christchurch. For services to Māori mental health and addiction services.
• Dr Katrina Ivy Roberts, of Matamata. For services to the dairy industry and the community.
• Mr David John Eruera Rogers, JP, of Stratford. For services to conservation and Māori.
• Ms Joan Mary Rosier-Jones, of Whanganui. For services to writing and education.
• Mrs Deborah Catharine Roxburgh, of Whanganui. For services to Scottish country dancing.
• Dr Udayangani Kumudu Sriya Samarakkody, of Hamilton. For services to Paediatric Surgery and the Sri Lankan community.
• Professor Marc Timothy Malcolm Shaw, of Hamilton. For services to travel health.
• Mr Alan Frank Simmons, of Tūrangi. For services to outdoor recreation.
• Mr Russell Owen Smith, of Auckland. For services to sexual violence prevention.
• Mr John Trevor Sparling, of Auckland. For services to cricket.
• Mr Trevor Allan Spittle, of Christchurch. For services to athletics.
• Dr Alison Claire Talmage, of Auckland. For services to music therapy and seniors.
• Ms Lorraine Ann Taylor, of Featherston. For services to education.
• Ms Joy Esther Te Wiata, of Opua. For services to sexual violence prevention.
• Ms Jan Althea Tonkin, of Auckland. For services to the business events sector.
• Ms Denise Joanne Torrey, of Christchurch. For services to education.
• Mrs Kathleen Tuai, of Pōkeno. For services to the Pacific community.
• Captain Alexander van Wijngaarden, of Blenheim. For services to the maritime industry.
• Mr Phillip John Waddington, of Lower Hutt. For services to conservation and art.
• Mr Warwick Kenneth Wilshier, of Whakatāne. For services to the road freight industry.
• Mrs Vania Nive Hannah Wolfgramm, of Auckland. For services to rugby.

The King’s Service Order

KSO

To be Companions of the said Order:

• The Honourable Paul Joseph Davison, KC, of Auckland. For services to public service and the law.
• Ms Robyn Mary Hunt, ONZM, of Wellington. For services to people with disabilities and the arts.
• Ms Carolyn Doreen Tremain, of Auckland. For services to the Public Service.

The King’s Service Medal

KSM

• Mrs Agnes Abuel-Guda, JP, of Rolleston. For services to the Filipino community.
• Mrs Amiria (Honey) Belle Amner, of Hastings. For services to sport.
• Ms Rebecca Rae Amundsen, of Invercargill. For services to local government, arts and the community.
• Mr Ravindran Annamalai, of Lower Hutt. For services to ethnic communities.
• Mrs Barbara Kay Astill, JP, of Auckland. For services to women, the community and governance.
• Mr Neville Thomas Atkinson, JP, of Kaiapoi. For services to local government and the community.
• Mr Ian John Blunt, of Ōmokoroa. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
• Mr Keith Duncan Bone, of Hastings. For services to swimming.
• Mrs Susan Linda Breen, of Rolleston. For services to gifted children education.
• Ms Amelia Bresanello, of Dunedin. For services to the community.
• Mrs Karen Mary Burrows, of Hokitika. For services to sport and the community.
• Reverend Tapita Taia Ching, of Richmond. For services to the Pacific community and education.
• Mrs Rosalind Meronea Corban, of Tokoroa. For services to nursing.
• Mr Grant Neville Craig, of Mosgiel. For services to rail heritage.
• Mr William Alexander Donaldson, of Invercargill. For services to the construction industry and cricket.
• Mrs Joy Fletcher, of Picton. For services to the community.
• Mr Edward Keith Ford, of Richmond. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the dairy industry.
• Mrs Mary Catherine Gow, of Paekākāriki. For services to music.
• Mrs Rangi (Pania) Kahuna Houkamau-Ngaheu, of Porirua. For services to the community.
• Mrs Dianne Kay June, of Hamilton. For services to wildlife conservation.
• Mr Selwyn Robert June, of Hamilton. For services to wildlife conservation.
• Mr Graeme Lawrence Kates, of Arthur’s Pass National Park. For services to conservation and the community.
• Ms Vaitoelau Kumitau, of Dunedin. For services to the Niuean community.
• Ms Margaret Jane Manson, of Hamilton. For services to the community.
• Mr Brian Lewis Marcroft, JP, of Ōhaupō. For services to the community.
• Mr Leigh Martin, JP, of Rolleston. For services to brass bands.
• Mr Brent Le Roy Miller, of Auckland. For services to hockey.
• Mrs Marlene Morrison, of Christchurch. For services to swimming administration.
• Ms Elizabeth Anne Mortland, of Taihape. For services to the community.
• Ms Johanna (Hanny) Elisabeth Naus, of Wellington. For services to seniors and rainbow communities.
• Mr John Patrick Noble, of Auckland. For services to residential care.
• Mrs Patricia Mary Noble, of Auckland. For services to residential care.
• Mr Ralph Edward Pitcher, of Whangamatā. For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
• Mrs Alison Helen Price, of Arrowtown. For services to music education.
• Mrs Vijeshni Rattan, JP, of Lower Hutt. For services to the community.
• Mr William Wynyard Rayner, of Auckland. For services to seniors and cultural heritage.
• Ms Norma Lynne Roberts, of Lower Hutt. For services to early childhood education.
• Dr Shanthi Selvakumar, of Auckland. For services to migrant and refugee communities.
• Mrs Miriam Josephine Spragg, of Christchurch. For services to barbershop singing and music administration.
• Mrs Lynette Vera Tankersley, of Masterton. For services to community welfare.
• Mr Frederick Rolland Todd, of Lower Hutt. For services to Parliament.
• Mr Noel Christopher Walker, of Te Anau. For services to Scouts and the community.
• Mrs Susan Ellen Walker, of Te Anau. For services to Scouts and the community.
• Mr Jonathan Christopher Walmisley, MBE, of Wānaka. For services to the Coastguard and Search and Rescue.
• Mrs Kathleen Margaret Webb, of Tauranga. For services to the community.
• Mr Stephen Leonard Westgate, JP, of Whangārei. For services to the community.
• Mr Lindsay Gordon Wright, of Gore. For services to rural communities and mental health.

The New Zealand Antarctic Medal

NZAM

• Professor Alan Dudley Hemmings, of Jerrabomberra, Australia. For services to Antarctic law and environmental protection.

The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

DSD

• Warrant Officer Class 2 Robert James Allen, of Palmerston North. For services to the New Zealand Defence Force.