Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) alumni Dr Janice Wright has been appointed Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Dr Wright received the highest honour in the New Year Honours list for her services to the State and the environment while 23 other members of the University community were also recognised.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physics from the University. Known for being the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment in 2007 until 2017, Dr Wright was recognised for commencing this role at a time of growing public and political interest in environmental issues. Since then, she has built a reputation for her methodical approach, robust independent advice, and as a skilful public communicator.
UC is also proud to recognise the honours bestowed on the following UC alumni and former staff members:
CNZM Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Emeritus Professor David Simmons, of Christchurch. For services to tourism and tertiary education. Professor Simmons is an internationally recognised tourism expert, was a leading tourism scholar nationally for more than 40 years, and is regarded as a key founder of the discipline of tourism at tertiary level in Aotearoa New Zealand. He has a Bachelor of Science in Botany from UC.
Kereyn Smith, MNZM, of Auckland. For services to sports governance. Smith was CEO of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) from 2011 until 2022. She has a Teacher’s College (now Faculty of Education) Diploma from UC.
Lisa Tumahai, of Hokitika. For services to Māori development. Tumahai (Ngāi Tahu, Tainui, Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāti Kahungunu) has been Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu since 2016, contributing to Māori health and development, and climate change efforts. She has a Bachelor of Commerce in Management from UC.
ONZM Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Elizabeth Caldwell, of Wellington. For services to the arts. Caldwell has been a leader within the arts sector for 30 years. She has a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Art History, and a Diploma in Teaching from UC.
Grant Cleland, of Christchurch. For services to disabled people. Cleland has contributed to the disability sector for more than 30 years, initially joining the Disabled Persons Assembly at 21 and holding executive roles in Dunedin and Christchurch from 1986 to 1992. He has a certificate in Social Work from UC.
Waihaere Mason, MNZM, of Nelson. For services to Māori and education. Mason (Ngāti Kuia, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāti Rārua, Te Atiawa o Te Waipounamu) is a long serving member of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Kuia, predominantly as Chairperson since 1999, and has influenced developments across a diverse range of entities in social justice, Māori hauora/health, education, local government, conservation and marae wellbeing. He graduated from the former Teacher’s College.
Don Mortensen, of Christchurch. For services to the prevention of sexual harm. Mortensen established STOP, an intervention service to end harmful sexual behaviour, which has grown from a small incorporated society in 1988, becoming a Charitable Trust in 1996 and developing its services over more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy, Finance and Information Systems and a Graduate Diploma in Social Work from UC.
Kathleen Walker, of Nelson. For services to wildlife conservation. Dr Walker has devoted four decades to the welfare of Powelliphanta land snails and more recently the study and protection of Antipodean wandering albatrosses. She has a Bachelor of Science in Geography from UC.
MNZM Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit:
Dr Heather Came-Friar, of Auckland. For services to Māori, education and health. Dr Came-Friar has advocated for social and racial justice and Te Tiriti o Waitangi recognition throughout her professional career in the health sector, non-governmental organisations, and academia. She has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master of Science in Political Science with Honours from UC.
Albert Grinter, of Rotorua. For services to education and Māori. Grinter has been an educator for more than 40 years, in both teaching and leadership positions. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and a Diploma from the Teacher’s College from UC.
Penelope Jackson, of Tauranga. For services to art crime research and visual arts. Jackson has pioneered research and development of scholarship about art crime in Aotearoa New Zealand. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and a Diploma from the Teacher’s College from UC.
Dr Paul Maunder, of Blackball. For services to the arts and the community. Dr Maunder has played a key role in supporting arts and community development projects in the Wellington and West Coast regions. He has a Master of Arts and a PhD in Theatre and Film Studies from UC.
Felorini McKenzie, of Christchurch. For services to Pacific education. McKenzie has contributed to the Pacific education sector for 30 years, particularly to early childhood learning and development. She has a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning in Professional Development from UC.
Rita Powick, of Picton. For services to Māori, education and governance. Powick (Te Ātiawa, Ngāi Tahu) has held governance positions with national, regional, iwi, marae and Māori focused organisations over 30 years. She has a Graduate Diploma from UC.
Dr Gregory Sherley, of Paraparaumu. For services to conservation. Dr Sherley has studied and published on a range of native fauna and has been active with conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. He has a PhD in Zoology from UC.
Professor Christine Rubie-Davies, of Auckland. For services to education. Professor Rubie-Davies is an education academic whose work has focused on closing the achievement gap for all children. She has a Teacher’s College Diploma with Commendation from UC.
Margaret Tai Rākena, of Christchurch. For services to victims of sexual violence and the community. Tai Rākena has been committed to driving change for victims of sexual violence for more than 30 years. She has a Certificate in Social Work from UC.
John Tait, of Kaikōura. For services to education and Māori. Tait has been an educator for several decades with a focus on improving outcomes for Māori. He has a Diploma from the Teacher’s College from UC.
QSM Queen’s Service Medal:
Matthew Frost, of Wellington. For services to people with autism. Frost has been an advocate for the rights of disabled people, particularly people with autism, for more than 15 years. He has a Bachelor of Arts in History from UC.
James Ngarewa, JP, of Patea. For services to the community and education. Ngarewa (Ngāti Ruanui, Nga Ruahine, Nga Rauru, Pakakohe, Tangahoe) has been Educational Grants officer for Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui Trust since 2012, a voluntary role in which he supports the provision of educational opportunities to those in need of financial assistance for their learning. He has a New Zealand Diploma from UC.
Gavin Nicol, of Ōpōtiki. For services to veterans. Nicol has supported Returned and Services Association (RSA) veterans and their families for 40 years. He has a New Zealand Diploma from UC.
Linda Rutland, of Christchurch. For services to the community. Rutland has been an active community leader in Christchurch for 25 years, helping the community to recover following the 2011 earthquakes. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UC.
NZAM New Zealand Antarctic Medal:
Nigel Watson, of Christchurch. For services to Antarctic heritage preservation. Watson has been Executive Director of the Antarctic Heritage Trust (AHT) since 2000 and was Secretary General of the International Polar Heritage Committee from 2010 to 2018. He has a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Administration from UC.
