Overall, 191 New Zealanders have been recognised in the New Year’s honours.
Multi-millionaire businessman Owen Glenn was made a knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to philanthropy.
This year his family foundation committed $88 million to combat child abuse. He also bankrolls a rugby league team.
“I'm looking forward to the Warriors calling me Sir Owen,” he says.
Five-time Olympic medallist Mark Todd also received a knighthood, but he says the initial letter left him a little bewildered.
“It did come completely out of the blue. I was a little bit confused as to what it was for a start, but obviously [I am] very honoured and delighted.”
The knight is now charging towards the Rio Olympics in 2016, and Sir Mark admits he did let the secret slip to his family.
However, former Waitakere mayor Bob Harvey kept it under wraps until today.
“We hadn't told anyone. Part of the deal when you get that letter is that this is secret. This is really secret and I’m not great at keeping secrets.”
Sir Bob wanted to dedicate the knighthood to his community.
“This belongs to the Westies, the people from west Auckland who cheered me on through six elections. And thought I wasn't too bad, and I didn't think they were too bad either.”
The 72-year-old surf lifesaver will continue watching the water, while fellow honours recipient Bob McDavitt watches the skies.
After 40 years predicting the weather, he was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to meteorology and yachting.
“Normally meteorologists are the butts of peoples' jokes aren't they? But here we go. I think we must be doing something right now because we're being recognised in this way. Isn't that great?”
For the record, Bob McDavitt says it's beach weather for everyone north of Taupo for New Year's Day.
Former High Court judge Dame Judith Potter was one of two women honoured today, upon her retirement from the bench.
Publisher Dame Wendy Pye said she was stunned and humbled by the tremendous tribute to education.
“It's a fabulous day for education. It's a fabulous day to celebrate how successful everyone is in education in this country.”
The recipients will be presented their awards at investiture ceremonies in the New Year.
3 News
source: newshub archive
