Actors, writers, sports stars receive honours
Writers, actors, sports stars feature in Queen's Birthday honours- 5 people are Distinguished Companions of Order of Merit
6 June 2005
Writers, actors, and sports stars feature in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.
Five people are made Distinguished Companions of the Order of Merit, the highest honour bestowed this time around.
They are Chief District Court Judge David Carruthers, judge and former Ombudsman Anand Satyanand, children's writer Joy Cowley, winemaker George Fistonich, and medical researcher Professor Linda Jane Holloway.
Actor Michael Hurst becomes an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. as does bungee pioneer Henry van Asch.
One hundred and seventy-seven people are honoured today.
Children's author Joy Cowley was speechless upon hearing she has been made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
She says everything she has achieved has come from other people, and she owes them a huge debt of gratitude.
The author of the best-selling Lord of The Rings Location Guidebook is among those receiving Queen's Birthday honours.
Ian Brodie has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to tourism.
The Cromwell writer's guide to the sights where Peter Jackson filmed Lord of the Rings spent eight weeks at number one on the best-seller list.
It has now sold around 250,000 copies.
Ian Brodie says he is overwhelmed by being honoured for something which is such a passion.
He says he will celebrate with a quite beer at his local pub at Luggate.
A knitwear designer who has taken many budding hopefuls under her wing is surprised by her Queen's Birthday honour.
Caroline Sills has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
She began designing woollens in 1983, with just one sample knitter and a group of outworkers.
Now her range of fashion labels is available in top boutiques in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
She has helped many young designers find their feet.
Caroline Sills says she cannot take all the credit for the honour, as it is a combined effort from the people she has worked with over the years.
A well-known face on television, stage and film is thrilled to be receiving a Queen's Birthday honour.
Michael Hurst has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He has directed about forty plays, and had more than a hundred stage roles.
He achieved international renown for his acting role in the television series Hercules, which he went on to direct, along with Xena Warrior Princess.
Michael Hurst says he is thrilled to be receiving the award.
He says it is an honour to be honoured.
In sport, veteran discus thrower Beatrice Faumuina has been recognised for her longstanding success in athletics.
Queen Bea has been a made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Faumuina says she is honoured and thankful for the award.
She says she was planning on a fairly standard day with her mum, but those plans seem to have gone out the window.
Beatrice Faumuina says she has still got two training sessions but expects she might be hosting a few family and friends to celebrate.
A Queen's Birthday honour for New Zealand's top referee.
Paddy O'Brien has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
O'Brien has retired from refereeing in order to take up the role of referee manager in Dublin starting in August.
He says he has been reflecting on his career since retiring and is proud of his achievements.
Paddy O'Brien says he never thought he would receive such an honour and he is humbled by the award.
He says it is a great reflection of the job referees in New Zealand do.
A Queen's Birthday honour has left All Black halfback Justin Marshall speechless for a change.
Marshall has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He says it is great to have been acknowledged for his services to rugby.
Justin Marshall says he was humbled by the nomination and admits to being quite emotional.
Marshall says he just hopes he will be able to accept the award in person before he heads overseas.
Cricketer Chris Cairns is also an Officer of the Order of Merit.
© 2009 NZCity, NewsTalkZB
