Writer, judge and bishop score top honours

Aviation, literary and ecclesiastical pioneers, a senior judge and a sports stalwart head this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Noel Anderson, author Witi Ihimaera, aviation innovator Oswald "Ossie" James, the world's first female Anglican bishop, Dr Penny Jamieson, and enduring netball coach Lois Muir are all made distinguished companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

The order is the equivalent of a knight or dame companion under the old honours system.

Justice Anderson was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2001 and became its president this year when the Supreme Court was established.

Ihimaera, the first Maori writer to have a novel published, has written eight novels, five books of short stories, three operas and a play.

He was a diplomat for 15 years and is now an associate professor in the English department at Auckland University.

He won the Watties Book of the Year Award twice but is most widely known for writing The Whale Rider since its international success as a film.

Mr James was one of the pioneers of the topdressing industry that helped make hill country farming economic after World War II. With business partners he started the manufacture of Fletcher agricultural planes and CT/4 air trainers.

He was also the founding president of International Field Days.

A former linguistics lecturer at Victoria University, Dr Jamieson was ordained to the priesthood in 1985 and four years later became the Bishop of Dunedin. She is due to retire at the end of this month.

Muir, who played both netball and basketball for New Zealand, coached the New Zealand netball team for an unsurpassed 15 years until 1988 - the year after her "dream team" won the world title so convincingly that no team got within 11 goals.

Now 69, she says she wants to coach the Otago Rebels for at least one more season.

Academia is well represented on the honours list, with 11 professors included.

Among them Graeme Fogelberg, Otago University's vice-chancellor, is appointed a companion of the NZ Order of Merit, political scientist Barry Gustafson is made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and internationally renowned accompanist (John) Terence Dennis of Otago University becomes a member of the NZ Order of Merit.

International optics authority Norman Rumsey, who had an asteroid named after him, is made an officer of the NZ Order of Merit.

Four people who won Oscars for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King were recognised for their work.

Costume designer Ngila Dickson is appointed an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, while screenwriter Philippa Boyens, designer Grant Major and editor Jamie Selkirk are made members.

Others from the arts and entertainment world to be honoured include artist, sculptor and musician Michael Smith (companion) and veteran theatre producer and director Richard Campion (officer).