Living New Zealand dames and knights

The following is a list of living New Zealanders who have been appointed dames or knights.

Inclusion criteria

The list includes:

Dames and knights of the New Zealand Order of Merit, including
- Dames or Knights Grand Companion (GNZM)
- Dames or Knights Companion (KNZM or DNZM)
Dames and knights of an Order of Chivalry under the British Imperial Honours system, including
Knights Bachelor (no female counterpart)

Principal and Distinguished Companions

The list does not include Principal Companions (PCNZM) and Distinguished Companions (DCNZM). These non-titular honours were announced by the fifth Labour Government of New Zealand in April 2000. While the appointments were identical in rank to Dames or Knights Grand Companion (GNZM), and Dames or Knights Companion (KNZM or DNZM), respectively, they did not provide the appellation of "Sir" or "Dame". The change was made via royal warrant and came into effect before the 2000 Birthday Honours were announced on 13 June.^[1]^[2] With the change to the fifth National Government of New Zealand, John Key announced the reinstatement of the titles "Sir" or "Dame" in March 2009.^[3] This further change was made via Royal Warrant and came into effect before the 2009 Birthday Honours were announced on 1 June.^[4] There had been eighty-five appointees in the interim who were still alive (seventy eight DCNZM and seven PCNZM; four of the latter already enjoyed a title) and five who had died.^[5]^[6]

Of the 85 who were eligible to take on a title, 72 chose to do so in 2009. Of the thirteen who elected to remain as Principal and Distinguished Companions, two already held a title (Ivor Richardson and Silvia Cartwright).^[7]^[8] The first person who had the title bestowed was Heather Begg, who received her damehood in April 2009 ahead of others because of failing health (she died a month later).^[9] The remaining seventy-one received their titles through the 2009 Special Honours.^[10]^[11] Vincent O'Sullivan accepted redesignation from Distinguished Companion to Knight Companion on 10 December 2021.^[12] Sam Neill accepted the same redesignation on 9 June 2022.^[13]

List of living dames and knights

By default, the table below is sorted in chronological order of appointment as a knight or dame.

Name	Honour	Date of appointment	Citation	Present age
Dame Naomi James DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	30 December 1978	For services to sailing	74
Sir Allan Wright KBE	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	31 December 1981	President, Federated Farmers of New Zealand, 1977–81	94
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ CH DBE AC	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	12 June 1982	For services to opera	79
Sir George Chapman	Knight Bachelor	12 June 1982	For political and public services	96
Dame Joan Metge DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	13 June 1987	For services to anthropology	93
Sir Cliff Skeggs JP	Knight Bachelor	13 June 1987	Mayor of the City of Dunedin	92
Sir Murray Halberg ONZ MBE	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1987	For services to sport and crippled children	90
Dame Ann Hercus DCMG	Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George	31 December 1987	For public services	81
Sir Kenneth Keith ONZ KBE KC PC	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	11 June 1988	Professor of Law, Victoria University of Wellington	86
Dame Silvia Cartwright ONZ PCNZM DBE QSO DStJ	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	17 June 1989	For services to women	80
Sir Bob Jones	Knight Bachelor	17 June 1989	For services to business management and the community	84
Sir Kerry Burke	Knight Bachelor	30 December 1989	Speaker of the House of Representatives	81
Sir Brian Elwood CBE JP	Knight Bachelor	30 December 1989	For services to local government	90
Sir Paul Beresford	Knight Bachelor	30 December 1989	For political and public service	77
Sir John Mace KBE CB	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	16 June 1990	Chief of Defence Staff, New Zealand Defence Force	91
Sir Richard Hadlee MBE	Knight Bachelor	16 June 1990	For services to cricket	72
Sir Michael Fay	Knight Bachelor	16 June 1990	For services to merchant banking and yachting	74
Sir Roger Douglas	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1990	For public services	86
Sir Geoffrey Palmer KCMG AC KC PC	Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George	31 December 1990	Prime Minister of New Zealand 1989–90	81
Dame Malvina Major ONZ GNZM DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	15 June 1991	For services to opera and the community	80
Dame Malvina Major ONZ GNZM DBE	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to opera	80
Sir Barry Curtis JP	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1991	For services to local government and the community	84
Sir Colin Maiden	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1991	For services to education and business management	90
Sir Donald McIntyre CBE	Knight Bachelor	13 June 1992	For services to opera	89
Dame Norma Restieaux DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	13 June 1992	For services to cardiology	89
Dame Phyllis Guthardt DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	12 June 1993	For services to the Methodist Church and women	94
Dame Dawn Lamb DBE JP	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	12 June 1993	For services to education	83
Sir Tim Wallis	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1993	For services to deer farming, export and the community	85
Sir Ian Barker KC	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1993	Judge of the High Court	89
Sir Tipene O'Regan ONZ	Knight Bachelor	11 June 1994	For services to the Māori people and the community	84
Sir Somerford Teagle KBE	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	11 June 1994	Chief of Defence Force	85
Sir Dryden Spring	Knight Bachelor	11 June 1994	For services to the dairy industry	84
Dame Anne Salmond ONZ DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	31 December 1994	For services to historical research	78
Sir William Southgate	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1994	For services to music	82
Sir Graeme Davies	Knight Bachelor	30 December 1995	For services to the Higher Education Funding Council, England	86
Sir Michael Hardie Boys GNZM GCMG QSO KStJ PC	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George	30 December 1995	Governor-General Designate of New Zealand	92
Sir Michael Hardie Boys GNZM GCMG QSO KStJ PC	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 1996	Governor-General of New Zealand and Chancellor of the New Zealand Order of Merit	92
Dame Gillian Weir DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	30 December 1995	For services to music	82
Dame Kate Harcourt DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 1996	For services to the theatre	96
Dame Fiona Kidman DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1997	For services to literature	83
Sir Ron Carter ONZ KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1997	For services to engineering and business administration	88
Sir Roger Bhatnagar KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 1998	For services to business and the community	79–80
Dame Susan Devoy DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 1998	For services to sport and the community	59
Dame Elizabeth Hanan DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 1998	For services to the community	86
Sir Selwyn Cushing KNZM CMG	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1998	For services to business, sport and the arts	87
Sir Bob Charles ONZ KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1998	For services to golf	87
Sir Doug Graham KNZM PC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1998	For services as a Minister of the Crown and Member of Parliament	81
Sir Jon Trimmer KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 1999	For services to ballet	84
Sir David Tompkins KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 1999	For services as a judge of the High Court and to the community	94
Dame Sian Elias GNZM KC PC	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 1999	Chief Justice of New Zealand	74
Sir Bill Birch GNZM PC	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 1999	For public services as a Member of Parliament and Minister of the Crown	89
Dame Margaret Bazley ONZ DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 1999	For public services, lately as Chief Executive of the Department of Social Welfare	85
Sir Patrick Hogan KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1999	For services to Thoroughbred breeding and racing	84
Sir Gil Simpson KNZM QSM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1999	For services to information technology, commerce and the community	75
Dame Judith Mayhew DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	15 June 2002	For services to the City of London	75
Sir Frederick Goodwin KBE JP	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	11 June 2004	For services to the community
Sir Don McKinnon ONZ GCVO PC	Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order	9 March 2009	formerly Commonwealth Secretary-General	84
Sir Anand Satyanand GNZM QSO KStJ	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	27 March 2009	Governor-General of New Zealand	79
Sir John Walker KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2009	For services to sport and the community	71
Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2009	For services to Mâori education	94
Dame Jenny Gibbs DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2009	For services to the arts	83
Sir John Goulter KNZM JP	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and the community	82
Sir John Hansen KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the judiciary	77–78
Sir John Henry KNZM KC PC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as a judge of the Court of Appeal	91
Sir Lloyd Geering ONZ GNZM CBE	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to religious studies	105
Dame Lois Muir DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to sports administration and netball	88
Sir Peter Blanchard KNZM PC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the judiciary	81
Sir Peter Gluckman ONZ KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine	74
Sir Ralph Norris KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business	73–74
Sir Sidney Moko Mead KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to education and the Māori people	96
Sir Stephen Tindall GNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and the community	72
Sir Stephen Tindall GNZM	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to business, the community, and the environment	72
Dame Sukhi Turner DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to local government	71
Dame Linda Holloway DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine	83
Sir Alan Frampton KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to agriculture	94
Sir John Wells KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and sport	80
Sir Ken Stevens KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to exporting	79–80
Dame Deirdre Milne DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to women and the community	84
Dame Margaret Millard DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the rural community	83–84
Dame Pat Harrison DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to education and the community	91
Sir Henry van der Heyden KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to agriculture	66
Sir Peter Trapski KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the law and the community	88
Sir Noel Robinson KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and the community	79
Sir David Mauger KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to paediatrics
Sir Alan Mark KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to conservation	91
Sir Peter Maire KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business	71–72
Sir Patrick Mahony KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the Family Court
Sir George Fistonich KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the wine industry	82–83
Dame Jenny Shipley DNZM PC	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as a Member of Parliament	71
Sir Russell Coutts KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to yachting, especially the 2000 America's Cup challenge	61
Dame Lynley Dodd DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to children's literature and book illustration	81–82
Sir Andrew Tipping KNZM PC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as a judge of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal of New Zealand	81
Sir Bruce Ferguson KNZM OBE AFC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the New Zealand Defence Force, lately as Chief of Defence Force	74
Dame Claudia Orange DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to historical research	85
Sir David Carruthers KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the District Court	82–83
Sir David Skegg KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine	75
Sir Doug Kidd KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as Speaker of the House of Representatives, 1996–99	82
Sir Eddie Durie KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the Māori Land Court, Waitangi Tribunal and High Court of New Zealand	83
Sir Ted Thomas KNZM KC PC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as a judge of the Court of Appeal	88–89
Dame Gillian Whitehead DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to music	82
Sir Harold Marshall KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to acoustical science	92
Dame Margaret Sparrow DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine and the community	88
Dame Margaret Clark DNZM CMG JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to education	82
Dame Robin White DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to painting and printmaking	77
Sir David Gascoigne KNZM CBE QSO CStJ	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the arts and business	83
Sir Tumu Te Heuheu KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to conservation	80–81
Sir William Young KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as president of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand	71
Dame Alison Quentin-Baxter DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the law	93
Sir Mason Durie ONZ KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2009	For services to Māori health, in particular public health services	85
Sir Peter Jackson ONZ KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2009	For services to film	62
Dame Lesley Max DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2009	For services to children	78
Sir Bruce Robertson KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2009	For services as a judge of the High Court of New Zealand and the Court of Appeal of New Zealand	79
Sir Hugh Williams KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services as a judge	84
Sir Peter Leitch KNZM QSM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services to business and philanthropy	79
Sir Richard Taylor KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services to film	58
Sir Michael Hill KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to business and the arts	84
Sir Ray Avery GNZM	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to philanthropy	75–76
Sir William Gallagher KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to business	82
Sir Tamati Reedy KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to education	87
Dame Alison Holst DNZM CBE QSM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to the food industry	84–85
Sir David Baragwanath KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services as a judge of the Court of Appeal	83
Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO KStJ	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	20 May 2011	Governor-General Designate	69
Sir Graeme Harrison KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to business	75
Dame Rosie Horton DNZM QSO QSM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to philanthropy	83
Sir Pat Higgins KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to philanthropy and the community	85–86
Sir James Wallace KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to the arts	86
Dame Rosanne Meo DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to business	82–83
Sir Colin Giltrap KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to motorsport and philanthropy	82–83
Sir Graham Henry KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to rugby	77
Dame Suzie Moncrieff DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to the arts	74–75
Sir Maarten Wevers KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to the State	71
Sir Roderick Deane KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	services to business and the community	82
Dame June Mariu DNZM QSM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to Māori and the community	91
Dame Pieter Stewart DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to fashion and the community	77
Sir John Kirwan KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to mental health and rugby	58
Dame Beverley Wakem DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to the State	79
Dame Judith Potter DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to the judiciary	81
Sir Mark O'Regan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to the judiciary	69–70
Sir Mark Solomon KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to Māori and business	68–69
Sir Owen Glenn KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to philanthropy	83
Sir Mark Todd KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to equestrian sport	67
Sir Bob Harvey KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to local-body affairs and the community	81
Sir Julian Smith KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to business	80
Dame Wendy Pye DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to business and education	79–80
Sir Lockwood Smith KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2013	For services as a member of Parliament and as speaker of the House of Representatives	75
Sir John Davies KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2013	For services to business and tourism	82
Sir Gordon Tietjens KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2013	For services to rugby	67
Sir Malcolm Grant CBE	Knight Bachelor	15 June 2013	For services to higher education	76
Dame Trelise Cooper DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to fashion and the community	65–66
Dame Alison Paterson DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to business	88
Sir Peter Vela KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to the Thoroughbred industry	74–75
Sir Bob Parker KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to local-body affairs and the community	70
Sir David Moxon KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to the Anglican Church	72
Sir John Hood KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to tertiary education	71
Dame Susan Glazebrook DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to the judiciary	67
Sir Graeme Avery KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to business and sport	82
Sir Robert Stewart KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to manufacturing and the community	82–83
Sir Richard Hayes KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to Search and Rescue and the community	71–72
Dame Lowell Goddard DNZM KC	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to the law	75
Dame Patsy Reddy GNZM CVO QSO DStJ	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to the arts and business	69
Dame Patsy Reddy GNZM CVO QSO DStJ	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	27 June 2016	Governor-General Designate	69
Sir Paul Collins KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to sports governance	70
Dame Tariana Turia DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services as a Member of Parliament	79
Sir Graham Panckhurst KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to the judiciary	77–78
Sir Murray Brennan GNZM	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to medicine	83
Dame Adrienne Stewart DNZM QSM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to the arts and business	86–87
Sir Patrick Lynch KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to education	81
Sir Neville Jordan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to business, science and the community	80
Sir Jim McLay KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to business and the State	78
Sir Peter Talley KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to business and philanthropy
Sir Pita Sharples KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services as a Member of Parliament and to Māori	82
Dame Diane Robertson DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to the community	70
Dame Bronwen Holdsworth DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to business and the arts	80
Dame Therese Walsh DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to sports administration	51–52
Dame Paula Rebstock DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to the State	63
Sir Terence Arnold KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to the judiciary	75–76
Dame Jane Campion DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to film	69
Sir David Fagan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to shearing	61–62
Sir Chris Mace KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to science and education	79–80
Dame Karen Sewell DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to education	78–79
Sir Matiu Te Rei KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to Māori	74–75
Sir Ron Young KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to the judiciary	71–72
Dame Ellen France DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to the judiciary	66–67
Sir Michael Friedlander KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to philanthropy	86–87
Dame Valerie Adams DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to athletics	39
Sir Brian Roche KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to the State and business	67–68
Sir David Williams KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to international law and international arbitration	82
Dame Fran Wilde DNZM QSO JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to the State and the community	75
Sir Richard Faull KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to medical research	78
Dame Georgina Kingi DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to Māori and education
Dame Julie Christie DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to governance and the television industry	61–62
Dame Peggy Koopman-Boyden DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to seniors	80
Sir Tīmoti Kāretu KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to the Māori language	85–86
Sir Michael Jones KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to the Pacific community and youth	58
Sir John Key GNZM AC	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to the State	62
Sir Graeme Dingle KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to youth	78
Sir Douglas White KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to the judiciary	78
Sir John Clarke KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to Māori and heritage preservation	81
Sir Bryan Williams KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to rugby	73
Dame Annette King DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services as a Member of Parliament	76
Dame Georgina te Heuheu DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to the State and Māori	79–80
Dame Denise L'Estrange-Corbet DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to fashion and the community	62–63
Dame Naida Glavish DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to Māori and the community	76–77
Sir John Rowles KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to entertainment	76
Dame Winnie Laban DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to education and the Pacific community	68
Sir Bill English KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to the State	61
Dame Catherine Healy DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to the rights of sex workers	67–68
Dame Jools Topp DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to entertainment	65
Dame Lynda Topp DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to entertainment	65
Dame Charmian O'Connor DNZM CBE JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to education and chemistry	86
Sir Tom Marsters KBE	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	9 June 2018	For services to the public and to the community	78
Sir Tim Shadbolt KNZM JP	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to local government and the community	76
Dame Diana Crossan DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to the State	73–74
Sir Kim Workman KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to prisoner welfare and the justice sector	82–83
Sir Rob McLeod KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to business and Māori	65–66
Dame Kerry Prendergast DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to governance and the community	70
Dame Gaylene Preston DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to film	76
Dame Margaret Brimble DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to science	62
Dame Helen Winkelmann GNZM	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 March 2019	Chief Justice Designate	60–61
Sir Roger Hall KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to theatre	84
Dame Sue Bagshaw DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to youth health	74
Sir Paul Adams KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to philanthropy and the community	74–75
Dame Areta Koopu DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to Māori and the community	82
Dame Fran Walsh DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to film	64
Sir Graham Lowe KNZM QSM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to youth and education	77
Dame Noeline Taurua DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to netball	55
Sir Joe Williams KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to the judiciary	61–62
Dame Anna Crighton DNZM QSO JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to heritage preservation and governance
Dame Marilyn Waring DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to women and economics	71
Sir Steve Hansen KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to rugby	64
Sir Robert Martin KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to people with disabilities	65–66
Sir Derek Lardelli KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2020	For services to Māori art	61–62
Dame Karen Poutasi DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2020	For services to education and the State	74
Dame Jane Harding DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2020	For services to neonatology and perinatology	67–68
Dame Juliet Gerrard DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to science	55–56
Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM QSO DStJ	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to child wellbeing and education	64–65
Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM QSO DStJ	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	9 August 2021	Governor-General Designate	64–65
Sir David Carter KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services as a Member of Parliament and as Speaker of the House of Representatives	71
Sir Dave Dobbyn KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to music	66
Sir Ian Taylor KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to broadcasting, business and the community	73–74
Sir Pou Temara KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to Māori and education	74–75
Dame Carolyn Burns DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to ecological research	81
Dame Judy Kilpatrick DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to nursing education	73–74
Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to Māori, music and television	58–59
Dame Ruia Morrison DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to tennis	87
Sir Michael Daniell KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to business, healthcare and governance	66–67
Sir Bill Denny KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to medical research	80
Sir Wayne Shelford KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to rugby and the community	65
Sir Grahame Sydney KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to art	74–75
Sir Vincent O'Sullivan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	10 December 2021	For services to literature	86
Dame Lisa Carrington DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to canoe racing	34
Dame Sophie Pascoe DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to swimming	30
Dame Marie Shroff DNZM CVO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to the State and the community	78–79
Sir Chris Farrelly KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to health and the community	71–72
Sir Bom Gillies KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to Māori and war commemoration	98
Sir Jim Mann KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to health	79
Dame Ruth Aitken DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2022	For services to netball	67
Dame Carolyn Henwood DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2022	For services to the State, youth and the arts	77
Dame Judy McGregor DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2022	For services to human rights and health	74–75
Sir Patu Hohepa KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2022	For services to Māori culture and education	86–87
Sir Hugh Rennie KNZM CBE KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2022	For services to governance, the law, business and the community	78
Sir Collin Tukuitonga KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2022	For services to Pacific and public health	65–66
Sir Sam Neill KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	9 June 2022	For services to acting	76