New Year Honours List Recognizes Seven Knights and Dames

The New Year Honours list has officially recognized seven new Knights and Dames in New Zealand, acknowledging their significant contributions across various fields. The recipients include Dame Helen Danesh-Meyer, Dame Coral Shaw, Dame Dorothy Spotswood, Sir Scott Dixon, Sir Rod Drury, Sir Graham Le Gros, and Sir Chris Parkin. These individuals were among 177 people recognized in this prestigious honour for their service to the community and their respective professions.

Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer has been appointed as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her groundbreaking work in ophthalmology. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted her ranking among the top ten glaucoma specialists worldwide in 2023. He remarked, “Her contribution is significant globally,” underscoring her impact on medical science.

Dame Coral Shaw received recognition for her extensive service to public service and the judiciary. She led the Royal Commission of Inquiry into historical abuse in state care from 2019 to 2024. Her involvement in community initiatives, including prisoner rehabilitation and services to seniors, has been noteworthy. Luxon praised her lifetime of service, stating, “Dame Coral’s work on the Royal Commission of Inquiry was the culmination of a lifetime of service to the judiciary and the community.”

Another recipient, Dame Dorothy Spotswood, was honored for her philanthropic efforts spanning over fifty years. Alongside her partner, Sir Mark Dunajtschik, she has contributed substantially to various causes, including a remarkable $53 million donation towards the construction of Wellington’s Children’s Hospital and an additional $10 million for the Dorothy Spotswood Charity Hospital.

In the field of motorsport, Sir Scott Dixon, a celebrated racing driver, was acknowledged for his contributions. Inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in the United States in 2024, he is also known for his charitable work. Luxon described him as “a hero to young New Zealand motorsport fans,” emphasizing his fundraising efforts for children’s charities.

Sir Rod Drury, founder of the global accounting platform Xero, was recognized for his services to business and technology. Luxon referred to him as a “titan” of New Zealand business, noting that Xero has created thousands of jobs and supported over four million customers globally. Drury has also been a pioneer in mental health and diversity initiatives, significantly impacting education and renewable energy sectors.

Professor Graham Le Gros was named a Sir for his contributions to medical science. He served as the director of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research for three decades, during which he developed significant programs in cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development. Luxon remarked on his role in shaping a generation of scientific leadership in New Zealand.

Lastly, Sir Chris Parkin was recognized for his philanthropic contributions to the arts. He established the Parkin Drawing Prize, which has awarded over $30,000 to emerging artists and has supported the arts funding website Boosted, which has raised $16 million for more than 2,000 projects.

In total, the New Year Honours list comprised 177 recipients, with 55 percent being men and 45 percent women. The largest area of contribution recognized was in community and voluntary services. Notably, most recipients hailed from Auckland, comprising 43 percent of the total.

Prime Minister Luxon concluded his remarks by expressing gratitude to all recipients: “To Dame Helen, Dame Coral and Dame Dorothy – and to Sir Scott, Sir Rod, Sir Graham and Sir Chris, thank you for your dedication, hard work, and service to New Zealand.” He extended his congratulations to all 177 honorees, acknowledging the profound impact of their efforts on numerous lives across the country.