Gallagher, Hill become knights in New Year Honours List

Five new knights and one dame have been created in the New Year Honours List.

Heading those for the contribution to business are Sir William Gallagher and Sir Michael Hill, both of whom have founded eponymous businesses.

Sir William began working for the business started by his father, Bill senior, in the 1960s and, at 69, remains chairman and chief executive of Hamilton-based Gallagher Group in the 1970s. The business now employs more than 1000 and sells its technology products in more than 130 countries.

Sir Michael founded the multinational jewellery retailer Michael Hill International in the 1980s, listing it in 1988. It now has 250 outlets in New Zealand, Australia and North America. His honour also recognises his contribution to arts sponsorship. In addition, he has become a successful author and sponsor of golf.

Both have been made knights companion in the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM).

In the highest honour, golfer Sir Bob Charles has been admitted to the limited Order of New Zealand.

Inventor and philanthropist Sir Ray Avery has been made a knight grand companion (GNZM).

Others in the top tier of honours are chef and cooking writer Dame Alison Holst (DNZM), retired Court of Appeal judge Sir David Baragwanath, author Sir James McNeish and educator Sir Tamati Reedy (all KNZM).

Among other honours
Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CPNZ)
Business and the law
Miriam Dean, QC, of Auckland, Bar Association president, director of Crown Fibre Holdings
Joe (Johannes) La Grouw, of Rotorua, chairman of Lockwood, sponsor of the arts

Academia, arts and media
Peter George Bush, QSM, of Wellington, press photographer
Christine Mary Fernyhough, ONZM, of Castle Hill, Canterbury
Professor Emeritus Roy Patrick Kerr, of Christchurch, an astrophysicist
Professor Ian Warrington, of Palmerston North, pro vice-chancellor at Massey University

Politics and public service
David Hay, JP, of Auckland, former deputy mayor and long-time city councillor
Murray Sherwin, of Wellington, chief executive of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

Sport
Yvette Corlett, MBE, of Auckland, athletics
Ricki Herbert, of Wellington, All Whites coach

Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)
Business
Michael Barnett, of Auckland, chief executive of the Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce
Nicolas Calavrias, of Wellington, chief executive of Steel & Tube
Andrew Davidson, of Christchurch, timber industry.
Peter Egan, of Hamilton, meat industry.
John Holdsworth, of Wellington, company director

Academia, arts and media
Phillip Leishman, of Auckland, television
Richard Long, of Wellington, former editor of The Dominion
Dr Keith Maslen, of Dunedin, literature and bibliography

Politics and public service
Roger Sowry, of Paraparaumu, Minister of Health

Sport
Ryan Nelsen, of Cheshire, UK, All Whites captain

Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)
Academia, arts and media
Garth George, of Rotorua, NZ Herald columnist
Brendan Michael Smyth, of Wellington, music industry
Graham Stewart, of Wellington, historian of photography

Sport
Don Neely, MBE, of Wellington, cricket
Steve Price, of Auckland, rugby league