Bright lights in a pandemic
Musician Dave Dobbyn, former Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe, public health expert Professor Michael Baker and Covid-19 modeller Professor Shaun Hendy are among those named on the New Year Honours list.
Two people received the highest honour, the Order of New Zealand – Professor Emeritus Sir Mason Durie for his transformational approach to Ma¯ori health, and Distinguished Professor Dame Anne Salmond for her work on crosscultural exchanges and environmental matters.
Former Consumer New Zealand chief executive Suzanne Chetwin, Black Fern Kendra Cocksedge and former cricketer Debbie Hockley have also been honoured.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern congratulated the recipients and praised their work during what has been a difficult year.
‘‘The past year has been one that few of us could have imagined.
In spite of all the things that have tested us, the contributions and achievements of the people honoured today remind us of the amazing Kiwis among us.’’
Ardern said Durie and Salmond were named for their enormous contributions to the country.
‘‘Professors Anne Salmond and Mason Durie are rightly recognised for their enormous contributions to New Zealand in many fields, including science and social science across Ma¯ori education and health. The country is richer for their contributions,’’ she said.
Dobbyn joined former MP and
Speaker of the House David Carter, former television presenter Ian Taylor, and one of the founding directors of Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo Ma¯ori (The Institute of Excellence in the Ma¯ori Language), Professor Pou Temara, in becoming knights companion.
‘‘Dave Dobbyn is responsible for some of our most popular Kiwi anthems and has been part of the music industry for five decades,’’ Ardern said of the Loyal singer.
The prime minister’s chief science adviser, Professor Juliet Gerrard, and Professor Cynthia Kiro, who led the development of a formal te reo Ma¯ori policy at the University of Auckland, have been named dames companion.
Suzanne Snively was made an honorary dame companion for her work as chair of Transparency International’s New Zealand chapter since 2011.
‘‘Juliet Gerrard is rightly recognised for the role she’s played putting science front and centre of our decision-making, including during Covid-19,’’Ardern said.
‘‘Cindy Kiro has made a huge contribution in ensuring the wellbeing of our country’s children, and Suzanne Snively is a tireless worker for ensuring public and private sector transparency.’’
Fyfe and Chetwin were named as companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit – Fyfe for his services to business and tourism, and Chetwin to consumer rights. Former cricketer Hockley joined them, for her work in the sport.
Two of the most prominent names during the Covid-19 pandemic – Hendy and Baker – were also recognised for their efforts, becoming members of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Other notable inclusions on the list ofmembers of the New Zealand Order of Merit include Cocksedge for her contributions to rugby, and
Professor Bronwyn Hayward, the director of Sustainable Development and Civic Imagination Research group at the University of Canterbury.
Thirteen Pacific leaders were included in the New Year Honours, representing health, education, community, arts, sports, media and the public sector.
‘‘These Pacific recipients have all demonstrated leadership, dedication and tenacity with a heart for Pacific, and each has made a genuine difference that has impacted on the communities they have worked with,’’ said Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio.
Afamasaga Vaafusuaga Telesia McDonald Alipia’s involvement with Pacific early childhood education was celebrated with the title of an officer, while Reverend Elder Tumama Vili, an advocate for the Samoan and wider Pacific community in the South Island, was appointed a member.
Ardern said the prominent theme in this year’s list was that while the work of those honoured has improved life in New Zealand, the job continues.