'We rebuild bodies to restore lives and that’s what we're trying to do.'

'I accepted it for my children, that they be proud of their mother when she’s not around.'

Pat Wyatt has received the Queen's Service Medal for services to netball.

Malcolm Nicolson has been recognised in this year's King's Birthday Honours.

'It has just been a lifetime passion. I can't see my life without it.'

John Taylor has been dedicated to the disability sector for more than 35 years.

'I think history will show that we have done a pretty damn good job.'

The health professional is proud to have helped give Pacific people a voice.

Vegetable-growing, IT, a four-day week, journalism: honours for leaders in their fields.

He credits his grandparents with instilling values of manaakitanga, tautoko and service.

The plight of the kukupa, or native pigeon, sparked Prime's life's work.

Dianne Buchan has been a volunteer all her life and has received a Queen's Service Medal.

Richard Dunkerton is approaching 50 years of swimming coaching.

'You don't think about why you're doing this stuff, you just do it, it's good fun.'

The Waipukurau dry-stock farmer and media identity receives an ONZM.

The life member has held almost every role in the brigade since signing up in 1972.

More than 180 honoured, including former PM, All Blacks coach, investigative journalist.

News snippets from across Northland and the surrounds.

Janine Morrell-Gunn has made children's content for New Zealand screens for over 35 years.

Newly appointed Dame Sophie Pascoe opens up to NZME's Jason Pine about how she found out about her new title and what's ahead for the Paralympic champion. Video / NZ Herald / Photosport

Newly appointed Dame Lisa Carrington opens up to NZ Herald Focus' Cheree Kinnear on a hectic 2021, reconnecting with family after Tokyo plus what's ahead for her as she commits for another Olympic cycle. Video / Andrew Warner / Photosport

Olympian Barbara Kendall talks about her honour.

COMMENT: Surely we should first have seen the deeds, and what contribution he will make, before bestowing Richie McCaw with this country's highest accolade, writes Barry Soper.

The appointments to Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit come after New Zealand's unprecedented success in the Cricket World Cup at home in February and March.

In a year full of accolades, Louise Nicholas could be forgiven for getting emotional when she read she was in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

If each new vintage is like a newborn baby, then Nick Nobilo who today is appointed an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit has a lot of children to keep track of.

Fishing magnate Peter Talley is a joint managing director of the Motueka-based Talley's Group. He was appointed Knight companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

An act of skill and courage has earned Lieutenant Simon Wasley a Queen's Birthday Honour.

Sir Peter Gluckman has spent a lifetime in laboratories, but his biggest breakthroughs took place over a pint of cold beer at the pub.

Her alter ego's name, "Nano Girl", was coined by schoolchildren but top scientist Dr Michelle Dickinson may be more of a superhero than she gives herself credit for.