Key Takeaways:
- Seven new Knights and Dames have been named on the New Year Honours list, including Dames Helen Danesh-Meyer, Coral Shaw, and Dorothy Spotswood, and Sirs Scott Dixon, Rod Drury, Graham Le Gros, and Chris Parkin.
- The honours list recognizes individuals for their services to various fields, including medicine, public service, philanthropy, business, and the arts.
- The recipients were selected from a pool of 177 people who received recognition in the honours list this year, with 55% of them being men and 45% being women.
- The largest area of contribution was community, voluntary, and local services, with most recipients hailing from Auckland.
Introduction to the New Year Honours List
The New Year Honours list has been released, and seven individuals have been named as new Knights and Dames. These individuals have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to various fields, including medicine, public service, philanthropy, business, and the arts. The list includes Dames Helen Danesh-Meyer, Coral Shaw, and Dorothy Spotswood, and Sirs Scott Dixon, Rod Drury, Graham Le Gros, and Chris Parkin. These individuals have been recognized for their dedication, hard work, and service to New Zealand, and their contributions have had a significant impact on their respective fields.
Dames and Their Contributions
Dame Helen Danesh-Meyer has been recognized for her services to ophthalmology, and is ranked among the top 10 glaucoma specialists in the world. Her contribution to the field of medicine is significant, and she has been praised by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for her work. Dame Coral Shaw has been recognized for her services to public service, the judiciary, and the community. She has had a long and distinguished career, and has been involved in various voluntary initiatives, including prisoner rehabilitation and services to seniors. Dame Dorothy Spotswood has been recognized for her services to philanthropy, and has contributed to various causes and charities over the past 50 years. Along with her partner, Sir Mark Dunajtschik, she has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes, including the Wellington Children’s Hospital and the Dorothy Spotswood Charity Hospital.
Sirs and Their Contributions
Sir Scott Dixon has been recognized for his services to motorsport, and is one of New Zealand’s most successful drivers. He has been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in the US and has supported various charities outside of racing. Sir Rod Drury has been recognized for his services to business, the technology industry, and philanthropy. He is the founder of Xero, a global small business accounting platform, and has generated thousands of jobs and supported millions of customers worldwide. Sir Graham Le Gros has been recognized for his services to medical science, and has been the director of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research since 1994. The institute has developed major new programs in cancer immunotherapy, vaccine development, and inflammatory disease. Sir Chris Parkin has been recognized for his services to philanthropy and the arts, and has established the Parkin Drawing Prize, which has awarded thousands of dollars in prize money to emerging artists.
Breakdown of the Honours List
The honours list includes 177 recipients, with 55% of them being men and 45% being women. The largest area of contribution was community, voluntary, and local services, with most recipients hailing from Auckland. Some of the prominent names on the list include racer Scott Dixon, women’s health academic Professor Bev Lawton, investigative journalist Donna Chisholm, former All Black Eroni Clarke, and former Black Caps batter Martin Guptill. The list also includes Commodore Andrew Gilchrist Brown, who led the recovery operation of the wreck of the Manawanui.
Conclusion and Recognition
The New Year Honours list is a recognition of the outstanding contributions made by individuals to their respective fields. The seven new Knights and Dames have been recognized for their dedication, hard work, and service to New Zealand, and their contributions have had a significant impact on their respective fields. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has congratulated all 177 recipients of this year’s New Year Honours, and has thanked them for their efforts. The honours list is a testament to the hard work and dedication of individuals who have made a positive impact on their communities and the country as a whole.