Former All Blacks coach Graham Henry is one of four Knights and two Dames named in the New Years Honours list.
Philanthropist Colin Giltrap, former Wellington City Missioner Des Britten and Todd Corporation former chairman John Todd are also to be knighted.
World of Wearable Arts founder Suzie Moncrieff and businesswoman Rosanne Meo are to become Dames.
WOW originated in 1987 as a way to promote an art gallery in Nelson, but became an annual event that outgrew its roots and moved to Wellington in 2005. It now attracts entries from around the world.
Des Britten served as Wellington City Missioner for 18 years until his retirement in 2011.
He was previously vicar at St Barnabas Church in Roseneath and before that ran the Coachman restaurant for 28 years. He was also known as a television chef and radio host.
Order of NZ
Painter and sculptor Ralph Hotere has been appointed a member of the Order of New Zealand, an award held by 17 other living New Zealanders.
Mr Hotere, 80, is of Te Aupouri descent. The award recognises his work as an artist, which is represented in every major public and private collection in New Zealand and in art museums around the world.
He was born in Mitimiti in Northland in 1931 as one of 11 children, but has lived and worked in Port Chalmers near Dunedin for most of his career.
Some of his best-known paintings include Black Union Jack - which questioned the Springbok tour of 1981 - and Black Rainbow, painted to mark the sinking in Auckland in 1985 of the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior.
Hotere Foundation Trust chair Judith Ablett-Kerr QC says he has remained outspoken through his art even after a debilitating stroke 10 years ago.
She says Mr Hotere was particularly moved by the letter of congratulations from Prime Minister John Key, who said he has enriched the lives of others.
The Order of New Zealand was instituted by Royal Warrant in 1987 to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand.
Its membership is limited to 20 living people at any time.
Maori achievement
Maori achievement is a feature of this year's list.
James Milroy and Robyn Bargh have been made Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for their services to te Reo Maori.
Dr Milroy, a Tuhoe kaumatua, is a former Waikato University Professor of Maori.
He has been praised for revitalising te reo and tikanga Maori. He is also a member of the Waitangi Tribunal.
Ms Bargh is the managing director of Huia Publishers, which promotes Maori writers and creates Maori language, teaching and learning materials.
In 1995 she established the Pikihuia Awards to identify and foster Maori writing talent in both the English and Maori languages. She was also a member of the Establishment Group for Maori TV.
Ngati Kahungunu's Ian Taylor has also joined the Order of Merit for services to television and business.
In 2010 he was named North and South magazine's New Zealander of the Year.
In 1989, he established Animation Research, which was to become one of the top computer animation companeis in New Zealand.
In 1991 the company then developed the first real-time yachting graphics package for the America's Cup, a technology now widely used for a variety of sports.
Community service
Carol Becker has been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to Plunket.
Mrs Becker recently resigned as Plunket's president, a role she held for five years, and has been involved in the organisation for 20 years.
Under her leadership, the 24-hour Plunketline was restored after a three year hiatus caused by a lack of funding in 2006.
She also led a review of the organisation's governance and was a delegate to Water Safety New Zealand.
Emergency Medicine Professor Mike Ardagh has become an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He is an emergency physician at Christchurch hospital and also works for the Ministry of Health, overseeing systems to improve efficiency.
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra outgoing chief executive Peter Walls is recognised as an officer of the Order of Merit.
During his tenure the orchestra undertook four highly successful international tours.
Painter Piera McArthur has been made a member of the Order of Merit.
She was the first New Zealander to hold a solo exhibition in the New Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow in 1990.
Named as a Companion of the Order of Merit is Malcolm Farry, chair of the Carisbrook Stadium Charitable Trust and a driving force behind the development, fund-raising and construction of the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
The stadium is New Zealand's first fully covered grass-based events centre, which opened in time for the Rugby World Cup.
Sports achievements
Graham Henry is knighted for services to rugby. He was appointed coach of the All Blacks in 2003 and coached them in more than 100 Test matches, culminating in the successful 2011 Rugby World Cup.
He has an 86% success rate as coach and has been named Coach of the Year by the International rugby Board five times.
Colin Giltrap is the owner of the New Zealand franchise of the A1 Grand Prix World Cup of Motorsport.
He worked to retain the V8 Supercar series in New Zealand as well as sponsoring many sporting events and charities, including the Starship Foundation.
Other sporting figures to receive recognition include Martin Snedden, who has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for organising the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Barry Maister is recognised as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to sport through his role as General Secretary of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
For 10 years he oversaw five Olympic Games and three Commonwealth Games.
Paul Caffyn and Christopher Kenny have been made officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sea kayaking and water safety, and boxing, respectively.
Politicians named
Former MPs and senior public servants have been made Companions of the Order of Merit.
John Carter and Harry Duynhoven received the award for their services as Members of Parliament.
Mr Carter was a National MP for 24 years until November's election, and is now New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.
Mr Duynhoven was a Labour MP for a total of 18 years and is now the Mayor of New Plymouth.
Wellington Regional Council chair Fran Wilde, a former Mayor of Wellington and Labour MP before then, receives her award for services to council affairs and the community.
Among senior public servants to be honoured is the former chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development, Professor Peter Hughes.
Former Wellington District Coroner Garry Evans is also named a Companion.
Former chief executive and chief review officer for the Education Review Office, Karen Sewell, has been named a Companion of the Order of Merit. Her career in education spans 45 years.
Others listed
Auckland businesswoman Diane Foreman has been named a Companion of the Order of Merit for her services to business.
In 2009 she was named Entrepreneur of the Year and represented New Zealand at the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monte Carlo in 2010. She is chief executive of the Emerald Group.
Two broadcasters are also recognised.
Roger Gascoigne is named as a Member of the Order of Merit.
He was the original presenter of the Ready to Roll TV series. Other hosting roles included the 1984 Olympics, the Miss New Zealand contest, telethons and game shows.
He helped established Capital City Radio/Radio Windy in 1973 and was one of the original team of announcers on the station.
These days he can also be heard from time to time on Radio New Zealand National.
Connie Lawn, former Washington correspondent for Radio New Zealand News, has been named an Honorary Officer of the Order of Merit for her contribution to New Zealand/US relations.
Honorary awards are given to people who are not New Zealand citizens.
Ms Lawn was a familiar voice for more than 20 years, covering a range of topics including politics, scandals, wars, tragedies and arts and culture.
She has also promoted New Zealand tourism and ski-ing through many articles written for the US market.
