Seven knights and two dames top the New Year's honours list in which 190 people are recognised for their contribution to New Zealand.
Five-time Olympic medallist Mark Todd, philanthropist Owen Glenn, veteran broadcaster Paul Holmes and former Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey have been made Knight Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
The others are Mark Solomon of Ngai Tahu, the president of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mark O'Regan and Allied Press chairman Julian Smith.
Entrepreneur Wendy Pye is a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, along with retired High Court justice Judith Potter.
Five Defence personnel are awarded the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration - two of whom served in Afghanistan.
Comment
Sir Mark Todd said it will take a while to get used to his new title.
Sir Mark has won five Olympic equestrian medals, including two gold and three bronze.
He told Summer Report that those who already have been awarded the honour are amazing people and to be put in the same category is very humbling, but he's delighted.
Sir Mark said that to the best of his knowledge he's the first equestrian to win such an honour and he hoped it will give more profile to the sport.
Sir Owen Glenn said his own success means he feels obligated to help others.
Earlier this year he launched an $8 million project in Otara, Auckland, to target child abuse and domestic violence. It is designed to improve the lives of families and children in the community.
But, he said, it's not just a question of giving money because people also need others to help, guide and mentor them.
Sir Owen said his charitable work is not restricted to New Zealand and he helps people from all over the world including China, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Samoa and Australia.
During Sir Mark Solomon's time as chair, Ngai Tahu has grown its asset base to almost $800 million from the $170 million received in a Treaty settlement in 1998.
He said his natural response was to turn down the honour because it was so unexpected, but after consulting with iwi, he decided to accept it.
Knighthood for West Auckland
Sir Bob Harvey said his knighthood belongs to the people of West Auckland who supported his push to save the Waitakere Ranges.
He led a campaign to protect the natural beauty of Waitakere and formed the Waitakere Ranges heritage area in 2008.
His knighthood is also the first one for surf lifesaving.
He said he's happy to be known as "Sir Bob".
Dame Wendy Pye is the founder and managing director of the Wendy Pye Group of companies. She went into the industry 30 years ago when she realised the damaging effects on children and young adults of not being able to read or write.
Dame Judith Potter presided over a series of high profile cases, including the RSA murders in 2001, the Nia Glassie murder and the Clayton Weatherston trial, before recently retiring from the High Court.
She said her appointment reflects how important the justice system is.
Sir Paul Holmes, who has cancer and underwent heart surgery earlier this year and stepped down from his television and radio roles, said the honour came out of the blue.
"It was completely unexpected," he told AAP after being rung by Prime Minister John Key on Christmas Day informing him of the honour.
Other awards
First-time gold medallists in the Olympic and Paralympic games are recognised, including Lisa Carrington, who is made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Others are: Hamish Bond, Eric Murray, Joseph Sullivan, Nathan Cohen, Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie and paralympians swimmer Mary Fisher and cyclists Phillipa Gray and Laura Fairweather.
Actor Rawiri Paratene has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Paratene is well known for his role as Koro in the film Whale Rider (2002), but has had a four decade career in film, television and theatre.
He has turned down previous honours but decided to accept this one. He said he decided to take it because he's proud to be Maori and a New Zealander.
Dr Philip Yates, the grandson of the founder of Arthur Yates Company, received the same honour.
He said it's a positive way to wrap up a career of 60 years in the seed industry.
Chef Fleur Sullivan of Fleurs Place fame in Moeraki is made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Auckland restaurateur Tony Astle of Antoine's becomes an Officer of the New Zealand of Merit.
There are no new members of the Order of New Zealand which is restricted to 20 living New Zealanders.
There are also no recipients of the Dame or Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
