The honour list citation reads that Mr Hullena helped transform the school and led significant philosophical, cultural and structural innovations that delivered a student-centred approach to learning "where the needs and interests of the students drive the curriculum and the development of a school culture based on the concepts of care, inclusion, effective relationships, high expectations, and personal and social responsibility".
Mr Hullena said the honour was humbling and was "not something that was on my radar".
"It's a huge honour and I'm very humbled by the acknowledgement. I didn't know a lot about the Queen's Birthday Honours until I received the letter asking if I was willing to accept one, so I had to do some research," he said.
He said his successful career in education, and other sectors, and the turnaround of Makoura College during his time at the helm had been collective, and not singular, accomplishments.
"I have always held the opinion that any individual achievement is always the achievement of the many. I'm honoured but very conscious as well that anything I've achieved in my time in education, or anywhere else for that matter, has only been possible through the support and goodwill of others.
"Makoura College was absolutely a team effort."
