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
- Order of the British Empire
- Royal Victorian Order
- Order of St Michael and St George
- Order of the Bath
- Order of the Garter
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]

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	72
Dame Miriam Dell ONZ DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	31 December 1979	For services to women	97
Sir Michael Fowler	Knight Bachelor	13 June 1981	Mayor of the City of Wellington	92
Sir Allan Wright KBE	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	31 December 1981	President, Federated Farmers of New Zealand, 1977–81	92
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ CH DBE AC	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	12 June 1982	For services to opera	77
Sir George Chapman	Knight Bachelor	12 June 1982	For political and public services	94
Sir Miles Warren ONZ KBE	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	31 December 1984	For services to architecture	92
Dame Joan Metge DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	13 June 1987	For services to anthropology	91
Sir Cliff Skeggs JP	Knight Bachelor	13 June 1987	Mayor of the City of Dunedin	90
Sir Murray Halberg ONZ MBE	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1987	For services to sport and crippled children	88
Dame Ann Hercus DCMG	Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George	31 December 1987	For public services	79
Sir Kenneth Keith ONZ KBE PC QC	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	11 June 1988	Professor of Law, Victoria University of Wellington	84
Dame Silvia Cartwright PCNZM DBE QSO DStJ	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	17 June 1989	For services to women	78
Sir Bob Jones	Knight Bachelor	17 June 1989	For services to business management and the community	82
Sir Kerry Burke	Knight Bachelor	30 December 1989	Speaker of the House of Representatives	79
Sir Brian Elwood CBE JP	Knight Bachelor	30 December 1989	For services to local government	88
Sir Paul Beresford	Knight Bachelor	30 December 1989	For political and public service	75
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	89
Sir Richard Hadlee MBE	Knight Bachelor	16 June 1990	For services to cricket	70
Sir Michael Fay	Knight Bachelor	16 June 1990	For services to merchant banking and yachting	72
Sir Roger Douglas	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1990	For public services	84
Sir Geoffrey Palmer KCMG AC QC PC	Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George	31 December 1990	Prime Minister of New Zealand 1989–90	79
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	79
Dame Malvina Major ONZ GNZM DBE	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to opera	79
Sir Barry Curtis JP	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1991	For services to local government and the community	82
Sir Colin Maiden	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1991	For services to education and business management	88
Sir Donald McIntyre CBE	Knight Bachelor	13 June 1992	For services to opera	87
Dame Norma Restieaux DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	13 June 1992	For services to cardiology	87
Dame Phyllis Guthardt DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	12 June 1993	For services to the Methodist Church and women	92
Dame Dawn Lamb DBE JP	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	12 June 1993	For services to education	81
Sir Robin Gray	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1993	lately Speaker of the House of Representatives	90
Sir Tim Wallis	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1993	For services to deer farming, export and the community	83
Sir Ian Barker QC	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1993	Judge of the High Court	87
Sir Tipene O'Regan	Knight Bachelor	11 June 1994	For services to the Māori people and the community	83
Sir Somerford Teagle KBE	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	11 June 1994	Chief of Defence Force	83
Sir Dryden Spring	Knight Bachelor	11 June 1994	For services to the dairy industry	82
Dame Anne Salmond ONZ DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	31 December 1994	For services to historical research	76
Sir William Southgate	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1994	For services to music	80
Sir Graeme Davies	Knight Bachelor	30 December 1995	For services to the Higher Education Funding Council, England	84
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	90
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	90
Dame Gillian Weir DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	30 December 1995	For services to music	81
Dame Kate Harcourt DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 1996	For services to the theatre	94
Dame Fiona Kidman DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1997	For services to literature	81
Sir Ron Carter ONZ KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1997	For services to engineering and business administration	86
Sir Roger Bhatnagar KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 1998	For services to business and the community	77–78
Dame Susan Devoy DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 1998	For services to sport and the community	58
Dame Elizabeth Hanan DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 1998	For services to the community	84
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	85
Sir Bob Charles ONZ KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1998	For services to golf	85
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	80
Sir Jon Trimmer KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 1999	For services to ballet	82
Sir David Tompkins KNZM QC	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	92
Dame Sian Elias GNZM QC PC	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 1999	Chief Justice of New Zealand	72
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	87
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	84
Sir Patrick Hogan KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1999	For services to Thoroughbred breeding and racing	82
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	73
Dame Judith Mayhew DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	15 June 2002	For services to the City of London	73
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	82
Sir Anand Satyanand GNZM QSO KStJ	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	27 March 2009	Governor-General of New Zealand	77
Sir John Walker KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2009	For services to sport and the community	70
Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2009	For services to Mâori education	92
Dame Jenny Gibbs DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2009	For services to the arts	81
Sir John Goulter KNZM JP	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and the community	80
Sir John Hansen KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the judiciary	76–77
Sir John Henry KNZM QC PC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as a judge of the Court of Appeal	89
Sir Lloyd Geering ONZ GNZM CBE	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to religious studies	103
Dame Lois Muir DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to sports administration and netball	86
Sir Peter Blanchard KNZM PC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the judiciary	79
Sir Peter Gluckman ONZ KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine	72
Sir Ralph Norris KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business	72–73
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	95
Sir Stephen Tindall GNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and the community	70
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	70
Dame Sukhi Turner DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to local government	69
Dame Linda Holloway DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine	81
Sir Alan Frampton KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to agriculture	92
KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and sport	78
KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to exporting	77–78
Dame Deirdre Milne DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to women and the community	82
Dame Margaret Millard DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the rural community	82–83
Dame Pat Harrison DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to education and the community	89
KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to agriculture	64
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	86
Sir Noel Robinson KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and the community	78
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	89
Sir Peter Maire KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business	70–71
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	81–82
Dame Jenny Shipley DNZM PC	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as a Member of Parliament	69
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	59
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	80–81
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	79
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	72
Dame Claudia Orange DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to historical research	83
Sir David Carruthers KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the District Court	80–81
Sir David Skegg KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine	74
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	80
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	82
Sir Ted Thomas KNZM QC PC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as a judge of the Court of Appeal	87–88
Dame Gillian Whitehead DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to music	80
Sir Harold Marshall KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to acoustical science	90
Dame Margaret Sparrow DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine and the community	86
Dame Margaret Clark DNZM CMG JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to education	81
Dame Robin White DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to painting and printmaking	75
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	82
Sir Tumu Te Heuheu KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to conservation	78–79
Sir William Young KNZM QC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as president of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand	69
Sir Wira Gardiner KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to Māori	78
Dame Alison Quentin-Baxter DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the law	92
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	83
Sir Peter Jackson ONZ KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2009	For services to film	60
Dame Lesley Max DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2009	For services to children	76
Sir Bruce Robertson KNZM QC	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	77
Sir Hugh Williams KNZM QC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services as a judge	82
Sir Peter Leitch KNZM QSM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services to business and philanthropy	77
Dame June Jackson DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services to Māori	82
Sir Richard Taylor KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services to film	56
Sir Michael Hill KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to business and the arts	83
Sir Ray Avery GNZM	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to philanthropy	74–75
KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to business	80–81
Sir Tamati Reedy KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to education	85
Dame Alison Holst DNZM CBE QSM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to the food industry	83–84
Sir David Baragwanath KNZM QC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services as a judge of the Court of Appeal	81
Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO KStJ	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	20 May 2011	Governor-General Designate	67
Sir Graeme Harrison KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to business	73
Dame Rosie Horton DNZM QSO QSM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to philanthropy	81
Sir Pat Higgins KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to philanthropy and the community	83–84
Sir James Wallace KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to the arts	84
Dame Rosanne Meo DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to business	81–82
Sir Colin Giltrap KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to motorsport and philanthropy	81–82
Sir Graham Henry KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to rugby	75
Dame Suzie Moncrieff DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to the arts	72–73
Sir Maarten Wevers KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to the State	69
Sir Roderick Deane KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	services to business and the community	80
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	89
Dame Pieter Stewart DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to fashion and the community	76
Sir John Kirwan KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to mental health and rugby	57
Dame Beverley Wakem DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to the State	78
Dame Judith Potter DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to the judiciary	79
Sir Mark O'Regan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to the judiciary	68–69
Sir Mark Solomon KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to Māori and business	67–68
Sir Owen Glenn KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to philanthropy	81
Sir Mark Todd KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to equestrian sport	65
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	79
Sir Julian Smith KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to business	78
Dame Wendy Pye DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to business and education	78–79
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	73
Sir John Davies KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2013	For services to business and tourism	80
Sir Gordon Tietjens KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2013	For services to rugby	66
Sir Malcolm Grant CBE	Knight Bachelor	15 June 2013	For services to higher education	74
Dame Trelise Cooper DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to fashion and the community	63–64
Dame Alison Paterson DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to business	86
Sir Toby Curtis KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to Māori education	82
Sir Peter Vela KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to the Thoroughbred industry	72–73
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	69
Sir David Moxon KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to the Anglican Church	70
Sir John Hood KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to tertiary education	70
Dame Susan Glazebrook DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to the judiciary	65
Sir Graeme Avery KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to business and sport	80
Sir Robert Stewart KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to manufacturing and the community	81–82
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	69–70
Dame Lowell Goddard DNZM QC	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to the law	73
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	67
Dame Patsy Reddy GNZM CVO QSO DStJ	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	27 June 2016	Governor-General Designate	67
Sir Paul Collins KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to sports governance	68
Dame Tariana Turia DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services as a Member of Parliament	77
Sir Graham Panckhurst KNZM QC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to the judiciary	76–77
Sir Murray Brennan GNZM	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to medicine	81
Dame Adrienne Stewart DNZM QSM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to the arts and business	85–86
Sir Patrick Lynch KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to education	79
Sir Neville Jordan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to business, science and the community	78
Sir Jim McLay KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to business and the State	76
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	80
Dame Diane Robertson DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to the community	68
Dame Bronwen Holdsworth DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to business and the arts	78
Dame Therese Walsh DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to sports administration	49–50
Dame Paula Rebstock DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to the State	61
Sir Terence Arnold KNZM QC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to the judiciary	74–75
Dame Jane Campion DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to film	67
Sir David Fagan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to shearing	60–61
Sir Chris Mace KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to science and education	77–78
Dame Karen Sewell DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to education	76–77
Sir Matiu Te Rei KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to Māori	73–74
Sir Ron Young KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to the judiciary	69–70
Dame Ellen France DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to the judiciary	65–66
Sir Michael Friedlander KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to philanthropy	85–86
Dame Valerie Adams DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to athletics	37
Sir Brian Roche KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to the State and business	65–66
Sir David Williams KNZM QC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to international law and international arbitration	80
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	73
Sir Richard Faull KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to medical research	76
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	59–60
Dame Peggy Koopman-Boyden DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to seniors	78
Sir Tīmoti Kāretu KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to the Māori language	84–85
Sir Michael Jones KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to the Pacific community and youth	56
Sir John Key GNZM AC	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to the State	60
Sir Graeme Dingle KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to youth	76
Sir Douglas White KNZM QC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to the judiciary	76
Sir John Clarke KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to Māori and heritage preservation	79
Sir Bryan Williams KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to rugby	71
Dame Annette King DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services as a Member of Parliament	74
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	78–79
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	61–62
Dame Naida Glavish DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to Māori and the community	75–76
Sir John Rowles KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to entertainment	74
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	66
Sir Bill English KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to the State	60
Dame Catherine Healy DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to the rights of sex workers	66–67
Dame Jools Topp DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to entertainment	63
Dame Lynda Topp DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to entertainment	63
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	84
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	76
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	74
Dame Diana Crossan DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to the State	72–73
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	81–82
Sir Rob McLeod KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to business and Māori	63–64
Dame Kerry Prendergast DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to governance and the community	68
Dame Gaylene Preston DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to film	74
Dame Margaret Brimble DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to science	60
Dame Helen Winkelmann GNZM	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 March 2019	Chief Justice Designate	59–60
Sir Roger Hall KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to theatre	83
Dame Sue Bagshaw DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to youth health	72
Sir Paul Adams KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to philanthropy and the community	72–73
Dame Areta Koopu DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to Māori and the community	80
Dame Fran Walsh DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to film	63
Sir Graham Lowe KNZM QSM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to youth and education	75
Dame Noeline Taurua DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to netball	53
Sir Joe Williams KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to the judiciary	60–61
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	69
Sir Steve Hansen KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to rugby	62
Sir Robert Martin KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to people with disabilities	64–65
Sir Derek Lardelli KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2020	For services to Māori art	60–61
Dame Karen Poutasi DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2020	For services to education and the State	72
Dame Jane Harding DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2020	For services to neonatology and perinatology	66–67
Dame Aroha Reriti-Crofts DNZM CBE JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2020	For services to Māori and the community	83
Dame Juliet Gerrard DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to science	54–55
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	63–64
Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM QSO DStJ	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	9 August 2021	Governor-General Designate	63–64
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	69
Sir Dave Dobbyn KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to music	65
Sir Ian Taylor KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to broadcasting, business and the community	71–72
Sir Pou Temara KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to Māori and education	73–74
Dame Carolyn Burns DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to ecological research	79
Dame Judy Kilpatrick DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to nursing education	71–72
Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to Māori, music and television	57–58
Dame Ruia Morrison DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to tennis	85
Sir Michael Daniell KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to business, healthcare and governance	64–65
Sir Bill Denny KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to medical research	78
Sir Wayne Shelford KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to rugby and the community	64
Sir Grahame Sydney KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to art	73–74
Sir Vincent O'Sullivan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	10 December 2021	For services to literature	84
Dame Lisa Carrington DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to canoe racing	32
Dame Sophie Pascoe DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to swimming	29
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	77–78
Sir Chris Farrelly KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to health and the community	69–70
Sir Bom Gillies KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to Māori and war commemoration	96
Sir Jim Mann KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to health	77