Sir Brian Roche

New Zealand Post chief executive Brian Roche received a royal surprise in the post this Christmas season. A letter informing him he had been made a knight of the realm.

Roche said his new title, Knight Companion of the NZ Order of Merit, left him feeling honoured but incredibly awkward.

His ‘‘humble beginnings’’ are among the reasons. Roche grew up in Hawkes Bay in a big Catholic family who taught him the value of service to others.

In turn, Roche paid tribute to those who have supported his endeavours.

‘‘Whatever I’ve done is insignificant compared to what everyone else has done to help me.’’

He said the honour has made him think of the hundreds of people have helped him realise projects in his career – negotiating Treaty of Waitangi settlements, preparing the case for New Zealand to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup, overseeing the Great War Exhibition, and steering NZ Post through a time of restructuring.

Above all, he thanks his wife for her support. His daughter and son, living in London at the moment, were excited to hear the news.

Roche began his career in 1979 as an accountant at Coopers & Lybrand, now known as PWC, where his work on projects in education, housing, transport and Treaty settlements garnered him national recognition.

He was a partner at PWC for 22 years, until becoming chief executive at NZ Post – a position he has held for the past six years. He will retire from the post in April.

Roche’s interest in the public sector began during a secondment to the Prime Minister’s Department, where he worked with four leaders. The experience had a profound impact on the rest of his professional life, and said of the political process, ‘‘It’s sort of really easy to describe but hard to defend at times.’’

Roche’s work with Ngai Tahu became something of a model for the rest of the Treaty of Waitangi settlements. He said the process was hard fought, and the outcomes welldeserved, but there was a lot more to be done.

Roche has also been a prominent figure in New Zealand rugby. He is the chairman of the Hurricanes, and played a key role in the success of the 2011 Rugby World Cup bid.

‘‘Winning that bag [bid] was a profound thing for New Zealand and then hosting 2011 was one of those really proud moments when you see something from start to finish.

‘‘You don’t often get that in your professional life.’’