It's happy birthday - but not arise, Sir Richard.
Richie McCaw has been awarded New Zealand's highest honour - he's now a member of the exclusive Order of New Zealand.
But the newly turned 35-year-old won't be known as Sir Richard, as the honour is non-titular for people who do not already have a title.
McCaw has said he didn't want to be Sir Richard, so this honour is a neat workaround for the two-time World Cup winning captain and most-capped player in history.
He joined Sir Murray Halberg and Sir Bob Charles as sportspeople among the 19 members of the ONZ. It is restricted to 20 living people.
Richie McCaw leads the All Blacks out onto the field before a match in 2010. Photo: PhotoSport
Champion shearer David Fagan has been made a Knight of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Sir David joined fellow Te Kuiti knight Sir Colin Meads in having the top honour bestowed upon him.
Sir David Fagan Photo: Photosport
Also honoured in the New Year's list were another All Blacks great Daniel Carter and All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, who were made Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM), as was former All Blacks doctor John Mayhew.
Dan and Honor Carter at the 2015 BBC sports awards. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Another ONZM recipient was former New Zealand cricketer Stephen Boock, who earned his honour for services to sport and the community.
Currently New Zealand Cricket's president, Boock has also been heavily involved in Special Olympics.
Former All Blacks Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith and forwards coach Mike Cron are now Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).
Richie McCaw celebrates with Ma'a Nonu following the semi-final win over South Africa. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Also earning an MNZM was former referee Colin Hawke, as does former Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu.
Services to netball also earned an MNZM for retired New Zealand shooter Jodi Brown.
Former Silver Ferns shooter Jodi Brown Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Footballer Hayley Bowden earned an MNZM, while Birkenhead stalwart Ross Frisby also got a Queen's Service Medal (QSM) for services to football.
Former Black Sox player Colin Ward got an MNZM for services to softball - the Wellington native has been not only a player but coach, volunteer and administrator since the late 1960s.
Wellington Saints stalwart Justin Toebes received an MNZM for services to basketball, and 57 years of voluntary service to surf life saving earned Piha's Rodger Curtice a QSM.
Some 40 years of service to coaching trampolining earned Doug Callahan a QSM. Callahan established the Gisborne Trampoline Club in 1978.
