NEW ZEALAND’S QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND HONORS LIST 2012 IS ANNOUNCED
Comedian and Oscar Winner, Bret McKenzie makes it onto the honors list this year in New Zealand in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. Brett’s buddy (equally as talented), Jemaine Clement didn’t. Oh well. There’s next year for young Jemaine to catch up to his Kiwi twin. :)
This year in New Zealand where our economy recorded zero growth (through the books) and the UK’s economy is officially in recession again, while the USA’s unemployment statistics are alarming, and the Eurozone is in crises too - the New Zealand government announced Aotearoa’s honors list June 2012.
At a quick glance, the list may look a bit lite on people who created a thousand jobs (or more) for others, on farmers who paid the bills from their land and labours, on social justice champions too (not on this list) and of course (the usual of) high profile Maori men doing good in communities and the world, while raising children and showing respect to and caring for aged parents as well. Never mind.
We have next year to get that one right with Jemaine and bros being bumped up onto the list just for being funny, talented, authentic-Kiwi awesome. :)
There are so many cool Kiwis and exceptionally talented people on this list. Dedication, focus and passion seems to sum up their collective Kiwi traits this year.
This year’s list on a day where everyone’s staying toasty and warm with friends and family, is:
THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT
Dames Companion Mabel June Hinekahukura Mariu, CNZM, QSM, JP, Auckland, for services to Maori and the community Pieter Ane Stewart, Darfield, for services to fashion and the community. Beverley Anne Wakem, CBE, Porirua, for services to the state.
Knights Companion
Dr The Honourable Michael John Cullen, Whakatane, for services to the state. Dr Roderick Sheldon Deane, Wellington, for services to business and the community. John James Patrick Kirwan, ONZM, MBE, Italy, for services to mental health and rugby. Maarten Laurens Wevers, CNZM, Wellington, for services to the state.
Companions
Neville Alexander Crichton, Auckland, for services to yachting and business. The Honourable Justice John Warwick Gendall, Wellington, for services to the state and sport. Stephen William Hansen, Christchurch, for services to rugby. Michael James Houstoun, Feilding, for services as a pianist. Jane Christine Huria, Christchurch, for services to corporate governance. Owen Marshall Jones, ONZM, Timaru, for services to literature. Anne Norman, Auckland, for services to business. David Norman, Auckland, for services to business. His Excellency Mr Paul Thomas O’Sullivan, Wellington, for services to Australia-New Zealand relations. Christopher William Saines, Auckland, for services to the arts. John Shewan, Wellington, for services to business. Professor Peter Donald Graham Skegg, Dunedin, for services to medical law. Wayne Ross Smith, Cambridge, for services to rugby. John Lewis Spencer, Wellington, for services to business. Professor Christine Winterbourn, Christchurch, for services to science.
Officers
Philip Brendan Aldridge, Christchurch, for services to theatre. Emeritus Professor Peter Leonard Bergquist, Auckland, for services to science. Leon Martyn Theodore Blanchet, Leeston, for services to athletics. Robyn Denise Broughton, MNZM, Invercargill, for services to netball. Geoffrey John Chapple, Auckland, for services to tramping, tourism and literature. Assistant Commissioner David Mark Cliff, Rangiora, for services to the New Zealand Police and the community. Shane William Cotton, Palmerston North, for services to the visual arts. Michael Thomas Eagle, Christchurch, for services to rugby. Fiona Farrell, Akaroa, for services to literature. Gregory William Gent, Ruawai, for services to the dairy industry and corporate governance. Thomas James Gerrard, JP, Auckland, for services to education. Dr Ronald George Gibson, Morrinsville, for services to veterinary science. David Timothy Gibson, Wellington, for services to the film and television industry. Richard Alan Guy, Waipu, for services to rugby. Brian Martin Hight, Auckland, for services to agricultural publishing. Nigel Raymond Latta, Auckland, for services as a psychologist. Graham Leonard Malaghan, Auckland, for services to medical research and philanthropy. Bret Peter Tarrant McKenzie, Wellington, for services to music and film. Peter Joseph McLeavey, Wellington, for services to the arts. Margaret Medlyn, Wellington, for services to opera. 
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