Business leader Theresa Gattung, company director Joan Withers, bioengineering professor Peter Hunter and Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck are among those being recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours.

In all, 176 New Zealanders have been awarded honours for service to their communities and country.

Gattung, the former chief executive of Telecom, is known for being the first woman to run a large New Zealand public company and for co-founding My Food Bag. She has been made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to women, governance and philanthropy.

Dame Theresa said she knew at 18 she wanted to lead a company, and as a child she kept a scrapbook with clippings of women who had beaten the odds.

"I took inspiration where I could and I just sort of carried on, I just surrounded myself with people who supported me and I had setbacks of course, some of which I've spoken about and some of which I probably haven't and I just ploughed on.

"You've got to have a a bit of a thick skin if you want to do something that hasn't been done before."

Joan Withers has been made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Photo: Supplied

Joan Withers, the former chief executive of Fairfax New Zealand and The Radio Network of New Zealand, has been made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business, governance and women.

She has been a director and chair of numerous private and state sector companies, and has been chair of The Warehouse Group since 2016.

Withers left school at 16 to get married and is now one of New Zealand's leading governance experts and a champion for women in business.

"The biggest out take for me is that hopefully, someone like me with my background getting this sort of recognition just reinforces the fact that anybody, no matter what their background is, if they work hard and operate with integrity can probably achieve things that they might have believed to be impossible."

Bioengineering pioneer Professor Peter Hunter has been appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to medical science.

Professor Peter Hunter with his wife, Karin Hunter. Photo: Supplied

Hunter established the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and later the Physiome Project. He said he was most proud of the latter.

"It's put New Zealand at the forefront of a major international effort now to use what are called virtual human twins in healthcare, so I think over a long period of developing the methods we've put ourselves in a really good position to be able to internationally lead the development of using engineering, physics, maths approaches to improve healthcare outcomes."

Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck has also been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the aerospace industry, business and education.

In 2009, Rocket Lab's Ātea 1 became the first rocket in the Southern Hemisphere to reach space.

Peter Beck is the founder of Rocket Lab. Photo: Supplied / Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is the most prolific commercial launch provider, behind only SpaceX, and has launched 46 missions to space including NASA's 2022 lunar CAPSTONE mission, and more than 160 satellites to orbit as of April 2024.

Former Queenstown mayor Jim Boult has been made a Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local government, tourism and the community.

Long-serving Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the New Zealand Defence Force.

Air Marshal Kevin Short at a gun salute to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Photo: Supplied

Ngāi Tahu's longest serving chief executive, Arihia Bennett, has also been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to Māori, governance and the community.

She said while the iwi's asset growth more than doubled under her tenure - investing back in whānau is a key priority for the organisation.

"It's important to enable to distribution of funds to go back into the community, into its people, looking at growing community infrastructure, growing individual capability from pēpē, from babies, right through to kaumātua in terms of mātauranga, or education, wellbeing, social development."

Former sports stars recognised for giving back

A number of former sports stars have been recognised for services to their codes, including Chris Lewis, who reached the 1983 Wimbledon tennis final as an unseeded player.

Lewis, who has been awarded an Officer of the Order of Merit, became only the third New Zealand player to reach the final of a Grand Slam singles title and the second to reach the Wimbledon final.

Chris Lewis plays against John McEnroe in the 1983 Wimbledon final. Photo: Brymer Lewis Tennis Academy

Lesley Milne, who won eight national rowing titles between 1966 and 1975 and was selected for the first women's crew to represent New Zealand in Europe in 1974, has been named a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit (CNZM).

Former Olympic synchronised swimmer and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Katie Sadleir, is another CNZM recipient.

She has been recognised for services to sports governance and women, having held significant roles since the 1990s. Sadleir was appointed as the first woman chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation in 2021.

Stephen Cox represented New Zealand in cycling between 1976 and 1988, including the 1984 Olympic Games, and won almost every major road event in New Zealand. He has been named an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to the sport, including organising more than 220 major cycling events at regional, national and international levels since 1986.

Avid skier Mary Lee made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to snow sports and tourism. She established Snow Farm, the country's only dedicated cross-country ski-field, and she also developed the annual 42km Merino Muster race.

"We've now joined the world loppet series which is 20 ski races around the world and each country can only have one race and when you've skied 10 world loppet races, and you have to do a couple of different continents, you become a World Loppet Master which is very prestigious."

Four Police staff recognised

Detective Niall Deehan, based in Kāpiti north of Wellington, was one of the architects of Police's family liaison approach, building on his experience with the UK's Metropolitan Police. He has been involved mass casualty events including the Carterton balloon tragedy, the Christchurch terror attack, Whakaari White Island and the Loafers Lodge fire.

"I have no idea who nominated me and to be honest I think I want to keep it that way. I'll treat everybody as if it was them who nominated me. I'm exceptionally grateful to whoever that person or persons were." he said.

Inspector Freda Grace is an operations support manager based at Police national headquarters. Coster said she was a champion of women in tactical groups and led creation of the Critical Incident Liaison Officer programme, supporting staff exposed to traumatic incidents.

"I'm amazed and very humbled that someone would even think to nominate me," she said. "I don't think I've done any more than my job."

Catherine Petrey, is a principal strategic policy advisor at Police national headquarters, and has led Police's attempts to reform firearms legislation, including after the 2019 Christchurch terror attack.

"When I first came to Police, after working in the public service for most of my life, what I really noticed was that it's an organisation of really committed people who take big and important decisions on a daily basis... I'm very pleased to be able to work with such people."

Bay of Plenty District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Lew Warner has served in Police for more than 40 years and had led dozens of serious investigations.

"I'm really humbled by the honour, but I wasn't certain that I actually deserved it," he said.

Thomas Coyle, who held senior forensic roles with Police before his retirement in 2017 was also honoured.

The full King's Birthday Honours list

To be Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

• Theresa Gattung for services to women, governance and philanthropy; and Joan Withers for services to business, governance and women.

To be Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

• Peter Beck for services to the aerospace industry, business and education; and Professor Peter Hunter for services to medical science.

To be Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

• Vincent Ashworth for services to agriculture
• Arihia Bennett for services to Māori, governance and the community
• James Boult for services to local government, tourism and the community
• Anne Candy for services to Māori and local government
• Rodney Adrian Duke for services to philanthropy and business
• William Holland for services to community governance and philanthropy
• Mary Lee for services to snow sports and tourism
• Lesley Joan Milne for services to rowing
• Dr John Peek for services to fertility treatment and reproductive health
• Catherine Ann Grant Sadleir for services to sports governance and women
• Christopher John Seed for services to the State
• Air Marshal Kevin Ronald Short for services to the New Zealand Defence Force
• Megan Faye Tamati-Quennell for services to Māori and First Nations art

To be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

• Professor Fiona Alpass for services to health psychology and seniors
• Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga for services to immunology
• Andrew Barnes for services to business and philanthropy
• Professor Ian Bissett for services to colorectal surgery and education
• Andrea Blair for services to the geothermal industry and women
• Dr Patricia Bradbury for services to sport and education
• Richard Coon for services to business and philanthropy
• Stephen Cox for services to cycling
• Noel Davies for services to engineering, business and the community
• Tanya Drawbridge (Ashken) for services to sculpture, silversmithing and jewellery
• Andrew Dunn for services to people with Parkinson's disease
• Peter Fegan for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
• Allison Ferguson for services to netball
• Meri Gibson for services to dragon boating and breast cancer awareness
• Tere Gilbert for services to early childhood and Māori language education
• Gordon Glentworth for services to the livestock and dairy industries
• Ian Grant for services to literature and historical preservation
• Sarah Haydon for services to people with disabilities
• William Jansen for services to wildlife conservation
• Robert Jury for services to structural engineering and design
• The Very Reverend Taimoanaifakaofo Kaio for services to the Pacific community
• Christopher Lewis for services to tennis
• Patricia Lindsay for services to netball and governance
• Alexander Mackay (Jamie) for services to broadcasting and the rural community
• Deborah Manning for services to the community and the environment
• Leslie Noel McCutcheon for services to the thoroughbred and harness racing industries
• Gemma New for services to music direction
• Dr Colin O'Donnell for services to wildlife conservation
• Professor Emerita Nicola Peart for services to the law
• Anapela Polataivao for services to Pacific performing arts
• Professor Phillippa Poole for services to medical education
• Dr William Round for services to medical physics and biomedical engineering
• Professor Christine Stephens for services to health psychology and seniors
• Lisa Warrington for services to theatre and education
• Dr Murray Williams for services to wildlife conservation and science
• Ms Sheryll Christine Wilson for services to early childhood education
• Adrienne Winkelmann for services to the fashion industry

To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

• Jeanette Banfield for services to philately
• Karen Bartlett for services to the community and social services
• Dr Suzanne Blackwell for services to clinical and forensic psychology and the law
• Barry Brown for services to structural engineering
• Jane Cartwright for services to health governance
• Frank Chapman for services to health
• I-Hua (Eva) Chen for services to the Asian community
• Phillip Lam for services to martial arts
• Christine Clark for services to alcohol and drug harm reduction
• Professor John Collins for services to surgical education and breast cancer management
• Fleur Corbett for services to conservation
• Thomas Coyle for services to the New Zealand Police, Disaster Victim Identification and theatre
• Mark Crompton for services to meteorology and the community
• Detective Niall Deehan for services to the New Zealand Police
• James Doy for services to theatre, particularly youth theatre
• Anthony Dreaver for services to the community
• Reid Fletcher for services to the wine industry
• Brian Foley for services to the plumbing industry and the community
• Ian Godfrey for services to surf lifesaving and water safety education
• Keith Gordon for services to diving and maritime history
• Inspector Freda Anne Grace for services to the New Zealand Police
• Elizabeth Greive for services to child poverty reduction
• John Haldane for services to arts administration, particularly music
• Grant Harrison for services to volleyball
• David Henshaw for services to archery
• Dr Barbara Hochstein for services to radiology and education
• Jolie Hodson for services to business, governance and women
• Leigh Hopper for services to property development and philanthropy
• Kerry Hudson for services to land management
• The Venerable Joseph Anthony Huta for services to the Anglican Church, Māori and the community
• Dianne John for services to ornithology
• Keith Jones for services to metrology
• Stephen Kafka for services to conservation and wildlife research
• Bridget Kauraka for services to the Cook Islands community
• Rex Kerr for services to the community and rugby
• Murray King for services to the dairy industry
• Frederick Lewis for services to philanthropy and sport
• Samuel Lewis for services to business and the community
• HunKuk Lim for services to the Korean community
• Jee Chin Lim (Venerable Abbess Manshin) for services to the community
• Allister Macgregor for services to pipe bands
• Allan John McCaw for services to the apiculture industry
• Anthony McGovern for services to the racing industry
• John McKenzie for services to education
• Lorraine Mentz for services to education and philanthropy
• Ereti Mitchell for services to New Zealand - United Kingdom relations
• Maureen Morris for services to nursing
• Vivian Naylor for services to people with disabilities
• Linda Nelson for services to people with intellectual disabilities
• Frances Oakes for services to mental health and the Pacific community
• Julie Paterson for services to women and sport
• Leitualaalemalietoa Lynn Lolokini Pavihi for services to Pacific education
• Catherine Petrey for services to the New Zealand Police, arms control and the community
• David Robie for services to journalism and Asia-Pacific media education
• Louise Rummel for services to nursing education
• Merrick Sanderson for services to orthopaedic surgery
• Emma Scotter for services to Motor Neuron Disease research
• Rachel Smalley for services to broadcasting and health advocacy
• Akinihi Smith for services to Māori and the Anglican Church
• Graham Smith for services to horticulture
• Orquidea Mortera for services to diversional and recreational therapy and education
• Amohaere Tangitu for services to Māori health
• Glenn Teal for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
• Allison Todd for services to equestrian coaching and water safety
• Kristine Tynan for services to people with long-term conditions and older adults
• Jocelyn Urbahn for services to surf lifesaving and squash
• Sally Walker for services to health advocacy
• Detective Inspector Lewis Warner for services to the New Zealand Police and the community
• Lisa Whittle for services to wildlife conservation
• Adine Wilson for services to netball
• Nicola Wilson for services to mental health advocacy, particularly disordered eating
• Abann Yor for services to ethnic and migrant communities

To be an Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

• Allyn (Aliya) Danzeisen for services to the Muslim community and women

To be Companions of the King's Service Order:

• Daniel Allen-Gordon for services to youth and charitable governance
• Josephine Anderson for services to Māori
• Colleen Brown for services to people with disabilities, local government and the community
• Elizabeth Cunningham for services to governance
• Michael Hollings for services to education and Māori
• Karen Morrison-Hume for services to the community

The King's Service Medal (KSM)

• Mervyn Allison for services to brass bands
• Marie Bennett for services to seniors
• Lance Berry for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
• Patricia Boyle for services to the community
• John Bray for services to rugby league
• Henry Brittain for services to transport history and tourism
• Janice Burnett for services to the community
• Sandra Burrow for services to swimming
• David Cade for services to conservation and bio-security awareness
• Ian Campbell for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Taekwon-Do
• Patricia Carrick-Clarke for services to sport, particularly cricket
• Brian Carter for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand
• Marian Ceregra for services to the Polish community and veterans
• Robin Clarke for services to the community
• Jacqueline Dwyer for services to the community
• Robert Feisst (deceased) for services to the community
• Patricia George for services to mosaic art and the community
• Mervyn Gore for services to rugby league
• Dr Matire Harwood for services to Māori health
• Mailigi Hetutū for services to the Niuean community
• Leslie Hokianga for services to physical fitness and mental health
• Arthur Imms for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand
• Tupuna Kaiaruna for services to the Cook Islands community and performing arts
• Katareina Kaiwai for services to women and the civil construction industry
• Maituteau Karora for services to the Cook Islands community
• Fraser Lake for services to the community
• David Laughlin for services to conservation
• Trevor Marshall for services to the community
• Peter McNeur for services to education and the community
• Marilyn Milne for services to netball
• Charles Nightingale for services to the community
• Linda-Lee Odom for services to people with disabilities and sport
• Sharda Patel for services to the Indian community and women
• Bernard Power for services to the community
• David Grant Smith for services to the community
• Heather Smith for services to the community
• Jillian Spicer for services to the community and refugees
• Fay Taylor for services to the community
• Robert Webb for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
• Glenn Williams for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
• Vicki Wood for services to victim support
• Joseph Zawada for services to the Polish community and historical research

The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD)

• Wing Commander Mark Alan Whiteside for services to the New Zealand Defence Force