Queen's Birthday Honours: Knight 'blown away' by top award

Sir Ron Carter. Photo / APN

A veteran radio broadcaster, a children's author, sportsmen and members of the judiciary are among those recognised in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

The list of 180 people includes three new dames, four knights and one appointment to the Order of New Zealand.

Retired engineer and businessman Sir Ron Carter said he was "totally blown away" by his appointment to the Order of New Zealand for services to his country. New Zealand's top honour is limited to a maximum of 20 living people.

Geoff Robinson, the voice of Radio New Zealand's Morning Report for 30 years, has been made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to public broadcasting.

Children's author Betty Gilderdale, famous for The Little Yellow Digger series, has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to children's literature.

Basketballer Dillon Boucher and softballer Eddie Kohlhase were made members of the New Zealand Order of Merit and All Blacks manager Darren Shand was made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Sir Graeme Avery has been made a knight for his services to business and sport, and former Auckland University vice-chancellor John Hood has also been knighted for his services to tertiary education.

Helicopter pilot Richard Hayes was knighted for his services to search and rescue and the community, and Robert Stewart was made a knight for his services to manufacturing and the community.

Patsy Reddy, chairwoman of the Film Commission and deputy chairwoman of the Transport Agency, has been made a dame for her services to the arts and business.

Lowell Goddard QC and Susan Glazebrook QC have been made dames.

Dame Lowell is believed to be the first person of Maori descent to be appointed a judge of the High Court, and in 1988 she became the first woman in New Zealand to be appointed a Queen's Counsel.

Dame Susan was appointed as a Supreme Court judge two years ago, and has held numerous leadership roles in national and regional organisations in the Pacific.

Former Police Commissioner Peter Marshall has been made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and Man Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton's publisher Fergus Barrowman has been appointed a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.