Kaye and Bernie Crosby founded Prolife Foods in 1984 from their home garage by selling nuts through vending machines.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Former Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says his knighthood has come at a special and difficult time, as he farewells his father.

A former mayor who championed innovative ways to get youth into work says he may have retired, but still has some unfinished business.

Some names from the past have been recognised for their services to sport in the New Year Honours.

Writer Eleanor Catton hasn't set foot in New Zealand since her Man Booker Prize win, but has still never been far from the public eye.

Legendary All Black wing Bryan G Williams, who has been honoured at Government House in Auckland for services to rugby, kicked off his oval-ball career in league.

Brian Edwards worked for nearly half a century fighting fires, work for which he has now been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Sitting in the sunshine at Tahuna Marae, which borders the Manukau Harbour, Dame Nganeko Minhinnick touches the moko kauwae on her chin.

A leading choreographer who has been acknowledged in the Queen's Birthday Honours list is one of three generations in her family to receive the nod.

For acclaimed Kiwi Pacific author Albert Wendt, writing is like breathing.

John Adshead doesn't quite have the stature of Sir Edmund Hillary, nor was he quite as good at lugging around 20kg at high altitude, but he considers himself something of a Hillary of New Zealand soccer.

Advertising veteran and global chief executive of Saatchi & Saatchi Kevin Roberts has been made Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Queen's Birthday means one thing besides a holiday: It brings an honours list. The nation will wake tomorrow to learn who has been brought to the Queen's attention - well, to a committee of ministers in Wellington, anyway - for commendation.

Who made the grade for the New Year Honours? See the full list here.