This year’s list includes 183 extraordinary New Zealanders who have shaped our country. This year the list includes seven new knights and dames: Yvette Corlett, Roger Hall, Graham Lowe, Areta Koopu, Fran Walsh, Dr Susan Bagshaw and Paul Adams. Dame Yvette, who won the long jump in Helsinki in 1952, died at the age of 89 on 13 April, shortly after being told she would be receiving the honour. Dame Areta Koopu is known for three decades of service to Māori and the wider public, including through the Māori Women’s Welfare League, Waitangi Tribunal and New Zealand Māori Council. She had a simple message for those following in her footsteps.“Carry on learning our language, it’s so good – and I need you to know our world and not leave it behind. Anyone can nominate someone for an appointment or award under New Zealand’s honours system. The final decisions are made by the 12-person Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee, which is chaired by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
