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. 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. This further change was made via Royal Warrant and came into effect before the 2009 Birthday Honours were announced on 1 June. 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.

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). 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). The remaining seventy-one received their titles through the 2009 Special Honours. Vincent O'Sullivan accepted redesignation from Distinguished Companion to Knight Companion on 10 December 2021. Sam Neill accepted the same redesignation on 9 June 2022.

List of living dames and knights

By default, the table below is sorted in chronological order of appointment as a knight or dame.

Name	Portrait	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	86
Dame Silvia Cartwright ONZ PCNZM DBE QSO DStJ		Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	17 June 1989	For services to women	80
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	91
Sir Richard Hadlee MBE		Knight Bachelor	16 June 1990	For services to cricket	72
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 Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to opera
Sir Barry Curtis JP		Knight Bachelor	31 December 1991	For services to local government and the community	85
Sir Colin Maiden		Knight Bachelor	31 December 1991	For services to education and business management	90
Sir Donald McIntyre CBE		Knight Bachelor	13 June 1992	For services to opera	89
Dame Norma Restieaux DBE		Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	13 June 1992	For services to cardiology	89
Dame Dawn Lamb DBE JP		Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	12 June 1993	For services to education	83
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	85
Sir Dryden Spring		Knight Bachelor	11 June 1994	For services to the dairy industry	84
Dame Anne Salmond ONZ DBE		Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire	31 December 1994	For services to historical research	78
Sir William Southgate		Knight Bachelor	31 December 1994	For services to music	82
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	96
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	88
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
Dame Elizabeth Hanan DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 1998	For services to the community	86
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	87
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	75
Sir Frederick Goodwin KBE JP		Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire	11 June 2004	For services to the community	83
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	79
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	83
Sir John Goulter KNZM JP		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and the community	82
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	91
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	81
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	72
		Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to business, the community, and the environment
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	83
Sir Alan Frampton KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to agriculture	94
Sir John Wells KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to business and sport	80
Sir Ken Stevens KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to exporting	79–80
Dame Deirdre Milne DNZM QSO		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to women and the community	84
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	91
Sir Henry van der Heyden KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to agriculture	66
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	88
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	91
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	81
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	74
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	82–83
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	82
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
Sir Harold Marshall KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to acoustical science	92
Dame Margaret Sparrow DNZM MBE		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 August 2009	For services to medicine and the community	88
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	77
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	80–81
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	62
Dame Lesley Max DNZM MBE		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2009	For services to children	78
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	84
Sir Peter Leitch KNZM QSM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2010	For services to business and philanthropy	79
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	87
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	83
Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM QSO KStJ		Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	20 May 2011	Governor-General Designate	69
Sir Graeme Harrison KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to business	75
Sir Pat Higgins KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2011	For services to philanthropy and the community	85–86
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	77
Dame Suzie Moncrieff DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2011	For services to the arts	74–75
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 June Mariu DNZM QSM JP		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2012	For services to Māori and the community	91
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	81
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	80
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	75
Sir John Davies KNZM QSO		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2013	For services to business and tourism	82
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	88
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	72
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	82
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	71–72
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	69
		Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	27 June 2016	Governor-General Designate
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	80
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	82
Dame Diane Robertson DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to the community	70
Dame Bronwen Holdsworth DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to business and the arts	80
Dame Therese Walsh DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	1 June 2015	For services to sports administration	51–52
Dame Paula Rebstock DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2015	For services to the State	63
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	69
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	79–80
Dame Karen Sewell DNZM QSO		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2016	For services to education	78–79
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	71–72
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	39
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	75
Sir Richard Faull KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2016	For services to medical research	78
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	80
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	62
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	78
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	73
Dame Annette King DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2017	For services as a Member of Parliament	76
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	68
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	65
Dame Lynda Topp DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	4 June 2018	For services to entertainment	65
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	86
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	78
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	76
Dame Margaret Brimble DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2018	For services to science	62
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	74
Sir Paul Adams KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	3 June 2019	For services to philanthropy and the community	74–75
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	77
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	71
Sir Steve Hansen KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to rugby	64
Sir Robert Martin KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2019	For services to people with disabilities	66–67
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	74
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 Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	9 August 2021	Governor-General Designate
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	73–74
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	73–74
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	87
Sir Michael Daniell KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to business, healthcare and governance	66–67
Sir Bill Denny KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	7 June 2021	For services to medical research	80
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
Sir Vincent O'Sullivan KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	10 December 2021	For services to literature	86
Dame Lisa Carrington DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to canoe racing	34
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	71–72
Sir Bom Gillies KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to Māori and war commemoration	99
Sir Jim Mann KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	31 December 2021	For services to health	79
Dame Ruth Aitken DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	6 June 2022	For services to netball	67
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	77
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	65–66
Sir Sam Neill KNZM OBE		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	9 June 2022	For services to acting	76
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	68
Dame Jacinda Ardern GNZM		Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2023	For services to the State	43
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	66–67
Sir Wayne Smith KNZM		Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	5 June 2023	For services to rugby	67
Dame Sarai Bareman DNZM		Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit	30 December 2023	For services to football governance
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	69
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

See also

• Living Australian knights and dames