Displaying leadership skills beyond his rank and compassion for fellow soldiers were just two of the reasons behind the Queen's Birthday Honour for Staff Sergeant Rob McGee.

New Zealand has three new dames, three more knights and one appointment to the Order of New Zealand in the Queen's Birthday Honours announced today.

See the full list of New Zealanders honoured in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

Ta Pita Sharples is the first to acknowledge an honour bestowed by the Queen is not the most traditional of Maori ceremonies.

Keith Stanton has been a strong leader and mentor in the business community. he was appointed to a member of the New Zealand Order Of Merit.

As well as her work with Pultron and as its managing director, Bronwen Holdsworth has made a significant contribution to the cultural and artistic development of Gisborne.

Lesley Elliott's daughter Sophie was brutally murdered by her ex-boyfriend in their family home in Dunedin in 2008.

Douglas "Doug" McKay has had leadership roles in some of New Zealand's largest companies. He was appointed to Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

A recurring criticism of this country is that it fails to acknowledge the importance of its business leaders.

Professional director and businesswoman Bridget Liddell has been on the board of many New Zealand and international organisations since the early 1990s.

All Blacks manager Darren Shand is being honoured for his services to rugby but he finds that a strange way to describe a dream job.

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.

Skope industries founder Robert Stewart says his knighthood is a tribute to the workers at his Christchurch business set up 45 years ago.

One of the latest Kiwis to be knighted, Sir Richard Hayes is probably the only knight in the country with the nickname Hannibal.

Outspoken Summerset Group director and former chief executive Norah Barlow was stunned to be made an officer of the NZ Order of Merit.

Queen's Birthday Honours: The nation says thanks very much for a job well done.

Bob Buckle is one of New Zealand's leading economists and was principal adviser to the Treasury from 2000 until 2008.

Christchurch millionaire and founder of the Scenic Hotel Group Earl Hagaman has been recognised for his services to business, tourism and philanthropy.

Sir Bob Parker believes his late father waited to see his son's knighthood publicly announced before passing away.

Dancer Candy Lane says her reaction to being given the Queen's Service Medal was disbelief.

The New Zealand fashion industry's growing influence has been recognised with three longstanding leaders named in the New Year Honours.

A full list of all those that received New Year honours in 2013.

A leading Maori education expert, former school teacher and principal has been knighted.

The chance to turn a collection of neglected, dangerous, disused waterfront buildings into one of Auckland's hippest dining, retail, fashion and commercial precincts.

Mark Grantham has been a familiar sight to Newmarket shoppers for more than 20 years, selling chocolate bars for charity from his wheelchair.

This newspaper was clearly on to something when it awarded its New Zealander of the Year accolade to three young women - Eleanor Catton, Lydia Ko and Lorde.

Alastair Carruthers, with an extensive business and arts career, has been made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Richard Ballantyne has been lauded for his efforts in driving business and industry in Christchurch and helping to rebuild the city after its quakes.