Speaking from her family home at Ohope Beach, Carrington said it was an honour and a privilege to be receiving the award.
"To know the calibre of the people who have accepted New Year Honours before me, it's pretty overwhelming,'' she said.
"I got a letter from Prime Minister John Key. He said something like the honour was in recognition of what I had given back to the sport of kayaking and also what I had given back to the country.
"It was really quite special.''
Carrington said there had certainly been changes in her life since January including the overwhelming recognition she now faces where ever she goes.
"It's taken a bit of getting used to but it is nice.''
After a quiet Christmas with family, Lisa was heading "somewhere'' for New Year's Eve tonight before returning to Auckland where she would start her training again.
In February, Carrington will find out whether she is a Halberg Awards winner although her trophy shelf is already laden after winning the Supreme Award at the Waiariki Institute of Technology 2012 Bay of Plenty Sports Awards and also the Supreme Albie Pryor Memorial Sportsperson of the Year at the Maori Sports Awards also this year.