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	75
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa ONZ CH DBE AC	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	12 June 1982	For services to opera	80
Sir George Chapman	Knight Bachelor	12 June 1982	For political and public services	97
Dame Joan Metge DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	13 June 1987	For services to anthropology	94
Sir Cliff Skeggs JP	Knight Bachelor	13 June 1987	Mayor of the City of Dunedin	93
Dame Ann Hercus DCMG	Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George	31 December 1987	For public services	82
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	87
Dame Silvia Cartwright ONZ PCNZM DBE QSO DStJ	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	17 June 1989	For services to women	81
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	82
Sir Brian Elwood CBE JP	Knight Bachelor	30 December 1989	For services to local government	91
Sir Paul Beresford	Knight Bachelor	30 December 1989	For political and public service	78
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	92
Sir Richard Hadlee MBE	Knight Bachelor	16 June 1990	For services to cricket	73
Sir Michael Fay	Knight Bachelor	16 June 1990	For services to merchant banking and yachting	75
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	82
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	81
Dame Malvina Major ONZ GNZM DBE	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to opera	81
Sir Barry Curtis JP	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1991	For services to local government and the community	85
Sir Donald McIntyre CBE	Knight Bachelor	13 June 1992	For services to opera	90
Dame Norma Restieaux DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	13 June 1992	For services to cardiology	90
Dame Dawn Lamb DBE JP	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	12 June 1993	For services to education	84
Sir Tipene O'Regan ONZ	Knight Bachelor	11 June 1994	For services to the Māori people and the community	85
Sir Somerford Teagle KBE	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	11 June 1994	Chief of Defence Force	86
Sir Dryden Spring	Knight Bachelor	11 June 1994	For services to the dairy industry	85
Dame Anne Salmond ONZ DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	31 December 1994	For services to historical research	79
Sir William Southgate	Knight Bachelor	31 December 1994	For services to music	83
Dame Gillian Weir DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	30 December 1995	For services to music	83
Dame Kate Harcourt DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 1996	For services to the theatre	97
Dame Fiona Kidman DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1997	For services to literature	84
Sir Ron Carter ONZ KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1997	For services to engineering and business administration	89
Dame Susan Devoy DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 1998	For services to sport and the community	60
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	88
Sir Bob Charles ONZ KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 1998	For services to golf	88
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	82
Dame Sian Elias GNZM KC PC	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 1999	Chief Justice of New Zealand	75
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	90
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	86
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	76
Dame Judith Mayhew DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	15 June 2002	For services to the City of London	76
Sir Frederick Goodwin KBE JP	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	11 June 2004	For services to the community	84
Sir Don McKinnon ONZ GCVO PC	Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order	9 March 2009	formerly Commonwealth Secretary-General	85
Sir Anand Satyanand GNZM QSO KStJ	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	27 March 2009	Governor-General of New Zealand	80
Sir John Walker KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2009	For services to sport and the community	72
Dame Iritana Tāwhiwhirangi DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2009	For services to Mâori education	95
Dame Jenny Gibbs DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2009	For services to the arts	84
Sir John Goulter KNZM JP	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and the community	83
Sir John Hansen KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the judiciary	78–79
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	92
Sir Lloyd Geering ONZ GNZM CBE	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to religious studies	106
Dame Lois Muir DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to sports administration and netball	89
Sir Peter Blanchard KNZM PC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the judiciary	82
Sir Peter Gluckman ONZ KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine	75
Sir Ralph Norris KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business	74–75
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	97
Sir Stephen Tindall GNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and the community	73
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	73
Dame Sukhi Turner DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to local government	72
Dame Linda Holloway DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine	84
Sir Alan Frampton KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to agriculture	95
Sir John Wells KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and sport	81
Sir Ken Stevens KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to exporting	80–81
Dame Deirdre Milne DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to women and the community	85
Dame Margaret Millard DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the rural community	84–85
Dame Pat Harrison DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to education and the community	92
Sir Henry van der Heyden KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to agriculture	67
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	89
Sir Noel Robinson KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and the community	80
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	92
Sir Peter Maire KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business	72–73
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	83–84
Dame Jenny Shipley DNZM PC	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services as a Member of Parliament	72
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	62
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	82–83
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	82
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	75
Dame Claudia Orange DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to historical research	86
Sir David Carruthers KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to the District Court	83–84
Sir David Skegg KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine	76
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	83
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	84
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	89–90
Dame Gillian Whitehead DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to music	83
Dame Margaret Sparrow DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine and the community	89
Dame Margaret Clark DNZM CMG JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to education	83
Dame Robin White DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to painting and printmaking	78
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	84
Sir Tumu Te Heuheu KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to conservation	81–82
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	72
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	63
Dame Lesley Max DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2009	For services to children	79
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	80
Sir Hugh Williams KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services as a judge	85
Sir Peter Leitch KNZM QSM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services to business and philanthropy	80
Sir Richard Taylor KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services to film	59
Sir Michael Hill KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to business and the arts	85
Sir Ray Avery GNZM	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to philanthropy	76–77
Sir William Gallagher KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to business	83
Sir Tamati Reedy KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to education	88
Dame Alison Holst DNZM CBE QSM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2010	For services to the food industry	85–86
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	84
Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO KStJ	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	20 May 2011	Governor-General Designate	70
Sir Graeme Harrison KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to business	76
Sir Pat Higgins KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to philanthropy and the community	86–87
Dame Rosanne Meo DNZM OBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to business	83–84
Sir Graham Henry KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to rugby	78
Dame Suzie Moncrieff DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to the arts	75–76
Sir Maarten Wevers KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to the State	72
Sir Roderick Deane KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	services to business and the community	83
Dame Pieter Stewart DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to fashion and the community	78
Sir John Kirwan KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to mental health and rugby	59
Dame Beverley Wakem DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to the State	80
Dame Judith Potter DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to the judiciary	82
Sir Mark O'Regan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to the judiciary	70
Sir Mark Solomon KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to Māori and business	69–70
Sir Owen Glenn KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to philanthropy	84
Sir Mark Todd KNZM CBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to equestrian sport	68
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	81
Dame Wendy Pye DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2012	For services to business and education	80–81
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	76
Sir John Davies KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2013	For services to business and tourism	83
Sir Gordon Tietjens KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2013	For services to rugby	68
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	66–67
Dame Alison Paterson DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to business	89
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	71
Sir David Moxon KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2013	For services to the Anglican Church	73
Sir John Hood KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to tertiary education	72
Dame Susan Glazebrook DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to the judiciary	68
Sir Graeme Avery KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to business and sport	83
Sir Robert Stewart KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	2 June 2014	For services to manufacturing and the community	83–84
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	72–73
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	70
Dame Patsy Reddy GNZM CVO QSO DStJ	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	27 June 2016	Governor-General Designate	70
Sir Paul Collins KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to sports governance	71
Dame Tariana Turia DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services as a Member of Parliament	80
Sir Graham Panckhurst KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to the judiciary	78–79
Sir Murray Brennan GNZM	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to medicine	84
Dame Adrienne Stewart DNZM QSM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to the arts and business	87–88
Sir Patrick Lynch KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to education	82
Sir Neville Jordan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2014	For services to business, science and the community	81
Sir Jim McLay KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to business and the State	79
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	83
Dame Diane Robertson DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to the community	71
Dame Bronwen Holdsworth DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to business and the arts	81
Dame Therese Walsh DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to sports administration	52–53
Dame Paula Rebstock DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to the State	64
Sir Terence Arnold KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to the judiciary	76–77
Dame Jane Campion DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to film	70
Sir David Fagan KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to shearing	62–63
Sir Chris Mace KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to science and education	80–81
Dame Karen Sewell DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to education	79–80
Sir Matiu Te Rei KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to Māori	75–76
Sir Ron Young KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to the judiciary	72–73
Dame Ellen France DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to the judiciary	67–68
Sir Michael Friedlander KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to philanthropy	87–88
Dame Valerie Adams DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to athletics	40
Sir Brian Roche KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to the State and business	68–69
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	83
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	76
Sir Richard Faull KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to medical research	79
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	81
Sir Tīmoti Kāretu KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to the Māori language	86–87
Sir Michael Jones KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to the Pacific community and youth	59
Sir John Key GNZM AC	Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2017	For services to the State	63
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	79
Sir John Clarke KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to Māori and heritage preservation	82
Sir Bryan Williams KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to rugby	74
Dame Annette King DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services as a Member of Parliament	77
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	80–81
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	63–64
Dame Naida Glavish DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services to Māori and the community	77–78
Sir John Rowles KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to entertainment	77
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	69
Sir Bill English KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to the State	62
Dame Catherine Healy DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to the rights of sex workers	68–69
Dame Jools Topp DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to entertainment	66
Dame Lynda Topp DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to entertainment	66
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	87
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	79
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	77
Dame Diana Crossan DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to the State	74–75
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	83–84
Sir Rob McLeod KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to business and Māori	66–67
Dame Kerry Prendergast DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to governance and the community	71
Dame Gaylene Preston DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to film	77
Dame Margaret Brimble DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to science	63
Dame Helen Winkelmann GNZM	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 March 2019	Chief Justice Designate	61–62
Sir Roger Hall KNZM QSO	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to theatre	85
Dame Sue Bagshaw DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to youth health	75
Sir Paul Adams KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to philanthropy and the community	75–76
Dame Areta Koopu DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to Māori and the community	83
Dame Fran Walsh DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to film	65
Sir Graham Lowe KNZM QSM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to youth and education	78
Dame Noeline Taurua DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to netball	56
Sir Joe Williams KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to the judiciary	62–63
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	80
Dame Marilyn Waring DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to women and economics	72
Sir Steve Hansen KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to rugby	65
Sir Derek Lardelli KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2020	For services to Māori art	62–63
Dame Karen Poutasi DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2020	For services to education and the State	75
Dame Jane Harding DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2020	For services to neonatology and perinatology	68–69
Dame Juliet Gerrard DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to science	56–57
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	65–66
Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM QSO DStJ	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	9 August 2021	Governor-General Designate	65–66
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	72
Sir Dave Dobbyn KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to music	67
Sir Ian Taylor KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to broadcasting, business and the community	74–75
Sir Pou Temara KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2020	For services to Māori and education	75–76
Dame Carolyn Burns DNZM CBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to ecological research	82
Dame Judy Kilpatrick DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to nursing education	74–75
Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to Māori, music and television	59–60
Dame Ruia Morrison DNZM MBE	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to tennis	88
Sir Michael Daniell KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to business, healthcare and governance	67–68
Sir Bill Denny KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to medical research	81
Sir Wayne Shelford KNZM MBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to rugby and the community	66
Sir Grahame Sydney KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to art	75–76
Dame Lisa Carrington DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to canoe racing	35
Dame Sophie Pascoe DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to swimming	31
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	79–80
Sir Chris Farrelly KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to health and the community	72–73
Sir Jim Mann KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to health	80
Dame Ruth Aitken DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2022	For services to netball	68
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	78
Dame Judy McGregor DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2022	For services to human rights and health	75–76
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	79
Sir Collin Tukuitonga KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2022	For services to Pacific and public health	66–67
Sir Sam Neill KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	9 June 2022	For services to acting	77
Dame Miranda Harcourt DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2022	For services to the screen industry and theatre	61–62
Dame Farah Palmer DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2022	For services to sport, particularly rugby	51
Dame Jan Wright DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2022	For services to the state and the environment
Sir Ashley Bloomfield KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2022	For services to public health	58–59
Sir Mark Dunajtschik KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2022	For services to philanthropy	88–89
Sir Haare Williams KNZM JP	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2022	For services to Māori, literature and education	89–90
Dame Julie Maxton DBE	Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	31 December 2022	For services to science and to the law	69
Dame Jacinda Ardern GNZM	Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2023	For services to the State	44
Dame Jo Brosnahan DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2023	For services to governance and business
Dame Teuila Percival DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2023	For services to health and the Pacific community
Dame Helene Quilter DNZM QSO	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2023	For services to the public service and the arts
Sir Stephen Kós KNZM KC	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2023	For services to the judiciary and legal education	65
Sir Selwyn Parata KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2023	For services to Māori	67–68
Sir Wayne Smith KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2023	For services to rugby	67
Sir Crawford Falconer KCMG	Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George	29 December 2023	For services to international trade	69–70
Dame Sarai Bareman DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2023	For services to football governance	43–44
Dame Pania Tyson-Nathan DNZM JP	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2023	For services to Māori and business
Sir Scott Macfarlane KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2023	For services to health
Sir Trevor Mallard KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2023	For services as a member of Parliament and as Speaker of the House of Representatives	70
Sir Ian Mune KNZM OBE	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2023	For services to film, television and theatre	82–83
Dame Theresa Gattung DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2024	For services to women, governance and philanthropy	61–62
Dame Joan Withers DNZM	Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2024	For services to business, governance and women	70–71
Sir Peter Beck KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2024	For services to the judiciary and legal education	47–48
Sir Peter Hunter KNZM	Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2024	For services to medical science	76