New Year Honours

The full list is at DPMC. Two new Dames.

DNZM

To be Dames Companion of the said Order:

The Honourable Justice Judith Marjorie Potter, CBE, of Auckland. For services to the judiciary.

Ms Wendy Edith Pye, MBE, of Auckland. For services to business and education.

Potter has a distinguished legal career. Dame Wendy Pye’s honour is well deserved.  Her education business (yes how evil – a private company making money out of education) has helped illiterate children learn English around the world (and here), and has also been an export earner for New Zealand.

KNZM

To be Knights Companion of the said Order:

Mr Owen George Glenn, ONZM, of Auckland. For services to philanthropy.

Mr Robert Anster Harvey, QSO, of Auckland. For services to local body affairs and the community.

Mr Paul Scott Holmes, CNZM, of Hastings. For services to broadcasting and the community.

The Honourable Justice Mark Andrew O’Regan, of Wellington. For services to the judiciary.

Mr Julian Stanley Smith, OBE, of Dunedin. For services to business.

Mr Mark Wiremu Solomon, of Christchurch. For services to Māori and business.

Mr Mark James Todd, CBE, of Swindon, United Kingdom. For services to equestrian sport.

Seven knights here. Justice O’Regan has also had a distinguished career. Sir Owen Glenn has had his share of controversy, but he has been a very generous donor to many NZ causes and is currently putting a lot of time and energy into initiatives to reduce child abuse. He has of course also had a stellar business career.

Bob Harvey is a former Labour Party President, but his service in local body politics sees him as Sir Bob. No one can say that this National Government has discriminated in their honours. In June Cullen also got knighted!

A lovely tribute to Sir Paul Holmes, as 2012 was his final year as a broadcaster. He changed NZ broadcasting. He has also been a vigorous supporter of many good causes such as the NZ Paralympics team.

Sir Julian Smith is the effective owner of the ODT, which has been with his family for five generations. A prominent businessman in Dunedin.

Sir Mark Solomon is Ngai Tahu’s Chairman, and Ngai Tahu have continued to grow and prosper.

And Sir Mark Todd needs no introduction. A legend who won’t give up.

Also congrats to John Slater for his ONZM for services to the community. John, with support from Margaret, has spent decades supporting charitable organisations such as Presbyterian Support Services.

Lester Levy’s CNZM also well deserved. Has made a huge contribution to the health system. Also Anthea Simcock’s ONZM for her pioneering work as a child abuse educator.

Vicki Hyde gets a MNZM for services to science, and hopefully debunking frauds as a sceptic.