As part of Queen's Birthday Honours to mark the Platinum Jubilee two people have received New Zealand's highest honour, being made members of the Order of New Zealand.
Sir Tipene O'Regan and Dame Silvia Cartwright. Photo: RNZ
The two new additional members of the Order of New Zealand are Dame Silvia Cartwright and Sir Tipene O'Regan.
Usually there are only 20 members of the Order of New Zealand but additional members can be added to commemorate important royal, state or national occasions.
In total 187 people have received Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours today.
The list includes three new Knights and three new Dame Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Dame Silvia Cartwright Photo: RNZ
Dame Silvia Cartwright said it is truly humbling to be given New Zealand's highest honour, particularly in connection with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Dame Silvia said Queen Elizabeth II is a remarkable woman, and anyone who has met and talked to her will understand her importance in the history of the British Empire, Britain and the wider Commonwealth.
Dame Silvia said her whole life since her adolescence has been associated with the law, having been a judge in New Zealand or internationally since 1981.
She said that had led to her interest in international law, and also into issues around the advancement of women.
She said New Zealand is much honoured internationally for our promotion of women, and while there is much to be proud of, there was still progress to be made.
"There is a vast number of women who are in the lower-paid segments of the community and in the not-so-well-educated parts of the community whose welfare and advancement need a lot of attention.
"I know we give a great deal to these segments of society, but we have a long way to go yet to ensure that all women have the opportunities that I've had."
Sir Tipene O'Regan. Photo: Supplied
Sir Tipene O'Regan said he has received a tsunami of congratulations after being awarded the highest honour. The 83-year-old says achieving Crown recognition of the legal personality of Ngāi Tahu, transformed iwi settlements.
On receiving the honour, he said: "I'm feeling hugely appreciated as well as appreciative.
"I'm taking great joy in the joy and pleasure of those who've supported me"
He said he has not "forgotten the stress of that [Ngāi Tahu settlement] period".
Sir Tipene said iwi settlements were "a pretty challenging thing".
"The state tends to have a lobotomy every three years and you've got to start all over again.
"I'm still of some use, that's a nice feeling, to still be relevant at my age."
There are three new Knights Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and three new Dame Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
The new knights are Dr Patrick Hohepa for services to Māori culture and education, Heughan (Hugh) Rennie (CBE QC) for services to governance, the law, business and the community, and Dr Collin Tukuitonga for services to Pacific and public health.
Ruth Aitken (ONZM) has been made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to netball, along with Judge Carolyn Henwood (CNZM) for service to State, youth and the arts, and Dr Judith (Judy) McGregor (CNZM) for services to human rights and health.
Dr Judith McGregor. Photo: Supplied
Dame Judy McGregor said the honour was a wonderful acknowledgement for her and all those who have supported her.
Dame Judy said a highlight of her career was working undercover as an aged care worker during the Human Rights Commission statutory inquiry into the sector.
She said it highlighted for her how incredibly exhausting the work was, emotionally and physically while being paid $14 an hour.
Dame Judy said the work was like a form of modern-day slavery.
"The health sector in New Zealand relies on women and we've got to value them properly. I'm not sure if the damehood will make much difference but it gives you that slight clout when you speak up."
Benji Marshall. Photo: Photosport
Others to be honoured in the Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours include Benji Marshall who is made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby league, along with John Monaghan, who has been involved with Fonterra since its creation in 2001, for services to the dairy industry, and artist Lisa Reihana for her services to the arts.
Lisa Reihana. Photo: Supplied
Reihana's large-scale video installation 'In Pursuit of Venus [infected]' represented New Zealand at the 2017 Venice Biennale, and a large installation of Te Wheke a Muturangi is currently on display in Wellington Harbour.
