Adrienne, Lady Stewart, who has been made Dame Adrienne Stewart in the New Year Honours.Photo / Supplied
Dame Adrienne Stewart, DNZM
Dame companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the arts and business
A "working" patron of the arts has been recognised in her own right after a long and successful career in business alongside her husband.
Adrienne, Lady Stewart, becomes Dame Adrienne Stewart. Her late husband, Robertson Stewart, was knighted 23 years ago, and she took the title "Lady" then.
Now, she has her own honour.
"This has been given to me in my own right," she said from her holiday home in the Marlborough Sounds. "I know if he were alive he would be tickled pink ... particularly in this spot which we built together 42 years ago. He would say, 'Good on you, girl.'"
Sir Robertson, a pioneer of plastics manufacturing, built the firm PDL into an industry leader. He died in 2007.
Dame Adrienne, who will be 79 in February, said life was a journey and "I'm not at the end of it, that's for sure".
Her citation read: "Lady Stewart has personally helped a number of young artists, musicians, choreographers, conductors and composers with grants or support for further study."
- Sophie Ryan
Sir Ian Athfield, KNZMKnight
companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to architecture
One of the "terrible twins" of New Zealand architecture who has both offended and inspired with his whimsical and eclectic designs has been knighted for his contribution to the discipline.
Sir Ian Athfield, 74, has been made a knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He has been prominent in his field since the 1960s and is credited with having considerable influence on the discipline - and the face of Wellington - having received acclaim for his work on projects including Civic Square, Adam Art Gallery, Wellington Library and his own sprawling residence on the hills of Khandallah.
Sir Ian has described his home, a white, plastered, Mediterranean-esque village studded with turrets and circular windows, as one of his most important works.
Yesterday, he described his appointment as "a little embarrassing".
"The practice of architecture can never be attributed to one person. It is a contributory involvement with the people you work with and those you work for," he said.
- Brendan Manning
Daniel Rockhouse
NZBMNew Zealand Bravery Medal
One of the only two survivors of the Pike River disaster has been recognised for pulling a workmate to safety when the mine exploded with tragic results.
Daniel Rockhouse is the only recipient of the New Zealand Bravery Medal in the New Year Honours, for his heroic actions in November 2010.
Mr Rockhouse and workmate Russell Smith were the only two people to survive the explosions.
Mr Rockhouse's brother Ben, 21, was one of the 29 miners whose bodies still lie inside the West Coast mine.
The men's father, Neville, was the mine's safety and training manager at the time.
On the day of the explosion, Daniel Rockhouse was about 1km into the mine when the first blast occurred. He was thrown to the ground and knocked unconscious.
When he regained consciousness he began to battle his way through toxic carbon monoxide fumes to reach safety, coming across Mr Smith as he made his way back to the entrance.
"Without Mr Rockhouse's assistance, the other miner would have remained lying in the mine," his citation reads.
- Nikki Papatsoumas
Sir Patrick Lynch
KNZMKnight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to education
Prominent educationalist Sir Patrick Lynch is most well-known for his work in Catholic education and has been the head of the NZ Catholic Education Office for the past 20 years.
In 1991, he was made a companion of the Queen's Service Order and has contributed to various education roles both locally and internationally.
He has held a long membership with the Teachers Registration Board, a 15-year connection with the NZ National Commission for Unesco, 12 years' membership of the Education Review Office Quality Education Advisory Council and is also a New Zealand co-ordinator for the National Excellence in Teaching Awards.
Sir Patrick has also been part of several government education taskforces including the Whakaaro Matauranga reference group on Maori Education and the ministerial group on National Standards.
Sir Patrick is also on the University of Auckland's Community Advisory Board and is involved in the Association of Integrated Schools.
- Staff Reporter
Sir Graham Panckhurst, knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the judiciary
High Court judge Justice Graham Panckhurst was admitted to the bar in 1970. He was made a Queen's Counsel in 1994 and a High Court judge in 1996. He served as an Executive Judge in Christchurch for many years and was involved with several high-profile cases, including as leading defence counsel in the Fortex fraud trial, helping counsel the long-running Winebox Commission of Inquiry and overseeing the retrial of David Bain.
Sir Paul Collins, knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to sports governance
Sir Paul Collins first found out about the honour a few months ago, before it was confirmed in December. "Both [wife] Rosie and I were totally blown away when we heard about it," Sir Paul said. The associate chartered accountant, 61, has been the chairman of the High Performance Sport New Zealand board since it was established in 2011, and is a director and investor in the Hurricanes. Sir Paul was a member of the successful 2011 Rugby World Cup bid committee and also chairman of the Wellington Regional Stadium Trust, 2000 to 2012.
Dr Kevin Moran, officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to life saving
Kevin Moran spent 50 years as a lifeguard and is now a leading authority on drowning prevention in New Zealand and overseas. He says: "The two key killers in recreational drownings are underestimation of risk and overestimation of ability ... and that's a male disease." A former Welsh representative swimmer, the 67-year-old continues as a volunteer at Muriwai Surf Life Saving Club.
Stan Wolfgramm, member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the arts and Pacific community
Stan Wolfgramm is well known in the arts and entertainment business and as a respected mover and shaker within the Pasifika community. The former model, actor and writer is founder and director of communications company Drum Productions, established to share Pasifika stories through film, television and the stage. He oversaw the Westfield Style Pasifika fashion show for about 17 years, and was the brains behind the television series Pacific Beat Street. He is the director of one of Auckland's biggest annual events: The Pasifika Festival at Western Springs.
Christopher Barfoot, Queen's Service Medal for services to the environment and the community
Chris Barfoot has championed the environment for 40 years. He established and developed the Tahuna Torea Nature Reserve in Auckland -- a park that has become a well-developed habitat for local wildlife. He has been involved with the Tamaki Estuary Protection Society since 1972 and is a member of the Tamaki Estuary Pollution Action Group -- known as the Tamaki Estuary Environmental Forum.
Lisa Harrow, officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to dramatic arts
Award-winning actor Lisa Harrow first thought an email informing her of her New Year Honour was a hoax, but now describes it as "the best birthday present ever". The Step Dave actor was recognised for her 50 years' contribution to the dramatic arts. "I'm deeply, deeply moved and touched, and surprised, and delighted, and awed by it," she said.