Sir John, who won 1500m gold at the Montreal Olympics, is appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in today's honours which include two new dames -- art patron Jenny Gibbs and educationalist Iritana Tawhiwhirangi.
The Government announced in March that titles, dropped by the Labour government in 2000, would be reinstated to the honours system and 85 New Zealanders who have been appointed Principal and Distinguished Companions could opt to become knights or dames by the end of June.
Sir John, previously honoured as Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1992, is honoured for services to sport and the community.
After an athletics career that included being the first person to break 3 minutes 50 seconds for the mile and to run more than 100 sub-four minute miles, he was diagnosed with parkinson's disease in the early 1990s.
But he has continued to be involved with sport and the community, serving on Manukau City Council since 1998. Last year he established the Find Your Field of Dreams Project in Manukau to help young people participate in sport.
Dame Jenny is appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) for services to the arts. The public profile of the philanthropist and art collector was raised in 1997 when she negotiated with artists Tame Iti and Te Kaha for the return of a Colin McCahon painting stolen from the Aniwaniwa conservation centre at Lake Waikaremoana.
Dame Iritana, a founder of the kohanga reo movement, is appointed a DNZM for services to Maori education. In a career that began as a teacher on the East Coast in 1948, she has played a major role in reversing the decline in Maori language.
Among many other Maori recognised in the honours, leading Ngati Kuri figure Hana Romana Murray has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM).
She is the only living claimant in the Waitangi Tribunal Claim 262, in which Maori have asked the Waitangi Tribunal for exclusive and comprehensive rights to indigenous flora and fauna, as well as all Maori cultural knowledge, customs and practices, including language.
Also appointed CNZM are retiring secretary of foreign affairs and trade Simon Murdoch, recently retired Commerce Commission chairwoman Paula Rebstock, Lincoln University biologist Professor Alison Stewart, research scientist Dr Jeff Tallon, auditory neuroscientist Professor Peter Rowland and Todd Corporation chairman John Todd.
Sports people honoured include Kiwis league coach Stephen Kearney and Coast to Coast race organiser Robin Judkins, both made Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).
The world's most capped netballer, Irene van Dyk, and two former Silver Ferns Belinda Charteris and Margaret Foster, are made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), as are former New Zealand cricketer John Morrison and Laurie Keats, who developed shearing as a competitive sport and instigated the first Golden Shears competition.
Sports broadcaster Murray Deaker is appointed an ONZM.
That honour also goes to musician and composer Carl Doy, who has been musical director of Dancing with the Stars since 2005, while hip hop star Che Fu is made an MNZM.
Wellington anaesthetist Dr Graham Sharpe is made an ONZM. He is best remembered outside medical circles for laying a complaint with police in 2002 over then prime minister Helen Clark signing an artwork she did not paint. The painting fetched $1000 for charity, police established a prima facie case for forgery but said it was not in the public interest to prosecute.
Another man to make national news headlines, Norm Withers, is made an MNZM for services to sport and the community. The New Zealand boxing official and Christchurch deputy mayor organised a petition for tougher penalties for violent crimes after his 71-year-old mother was brutally bashed, and that led to a referendum in the 1999 election which prompted law changes.
Perhaps the most surprising name on the honours list is that of iconic Christchurch soap-box speaker Ian Brackenbury Channell, aka the Wizard of New Zealand, awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community.
His citation describes him as a "designer of post-modern cosmology and wizardry, including casting spells for the Canterbury rugby team and performing rain dances in Waimate, Auckland and Outback Australia".
The Queen's Birthday honours list announced today:
THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT
KNZM ( Knight Companion of the Order):
John George Walker CBE, Auckland
For services to sport and the community
DNZM (Dame Companions of the Order):
Jennifer Barbara Gibbs CNZM, Auckland
For services to the arts
Iritana Te Rangi Tawhiwhirangi CNZM, MBE, Masterton
For services to Maori education
CNZM (Companions of the Order):
Simon Peter Wallace Murdoch, Wellington
For public services, lately as Secretary of Foreign Affairs
Paula Rae Rebstock, North Shore
For public services, lately as chair of the Commerce Commission
Saana (Hana) Waitai Romana Murray QSM, Kaitaia
For services to the community
Professor Alison Stewart, Lincoln
For services to biology, in particular plant pathology
Dr Jeffery Lewis Tallon, Lower Hutt
For services to science
Professor Peter Rowland Thorne, Auckland
For services to auditory neuroscience
John Desmond Todd, Wellington
For services to business and the community
ONZM (Officers of the Order):
Ronald Chan, Manukau
For services to business
Patrick William Cotter, Christchurch
For services to medicine
Murray James Boyd Deaker, North Shore
For services to broadcasting
Carl William Doy, North Shore
For services to music
Dr Annabel Kirsten Finucane, Auckland
For services to medicine, in particular paediatric heart surgery
Gurshon Fisher, Auckland
For services to philanthropy
Associate Professor John Henley, Auckland
For services to medicine
Jacqueline Mary Hughes, Whakatane
For services to the community
Robin Austin Judkins, Christchurch
For services to sports administration
Stephen Peter Kearney, Victoria, Australia
For services to rugby league
Professor Stephen Irving Levine, Wellington
For services to education and the Jewish community
Roger John Moses, Wellington
For services to education
Robert Duncan Murdoch, Wellington
For services to manufacturing and the community
Dr Graham James Sharpe, Wellington
For services to anaesthesia
Jefferie James Tippen, Christchurch
For services to tourism
Professor Michael Mathew Walker, Auckland
For services to science
Frank Ivan Yukich, Manukau
For services to wine industry
MNZM (Members of the Order):
Errol Douglas Baldwin, Hamilton
For services to the community
Mary Tiki Balzer, Hamilton
For services to Maori health
Brigit Diana Blair, Christchurch
For services to business
Detective Superintendent Malcolm James Burgess, Christchurch
For services to the New Zealand Police
Norma Ellen Campbell, Christchurch
For services to women's health, in particular midwifery
Yvonne Joyce Cave, Wanganui
For services to photography and horticulture
Belinda Jane Charteris, Christchurch
For services to netball
Professor George Raymond Clark, Auckland
For services to biochemistry
Professor Terence John Crooks, Dunedin
For services to education
Madeline Mary East, Manukau
For services to education
Emeritus Professor David George Elms, Christchurch
For services to civil engineering
Dr Francis Patrick Joseph Farry, Queenstown
For services to rural medicine
Lester Campbell Flockton JP, Dunedin
For services to education and pipe bands
Margaret Mary Anne Foster, Christchurch
For services to sport, in particular netball
Che Fu, Auckland
For services to music
John William Gilks, Wanaka
For services to business and the community
Frank Derrington Godbert, Kerikeri
For services to yachting
Ronald Noel Harries, Wellington
For services to football
Peter John Harris, Huntly
For services to local body affairs and rugby
Margaret Anne Ruwaioterangi Hiha, Napier
For services to sport
Dr Cheung-Tak Hung, Dunedin
For services to philanthropy and the Chinese community
Dr Richard John Isaacs, Palmerston North
For services to oncology
Lauraine Annette Jacobs, Auckland
For services to the food industry
Ian Laurie Keats, Masterton
For services to shearing
John (Hone) Vivian Kouka, Paekakariki
For services to contemporary Maori theatre
Leslie Thomas Lunny, Wanganui
For services to touch rugby
Joseph Te Poroa Malcolm JP, Rotorua
For services to Maori
Ross Shepley Miller JP, Kaitaia
For services to the community
John Brian Mooney, Urenui
For services to the dairy industry
John Francis MacLean Morrison, Wellington
For services to cricket and the community
Roshan Lal Nauhria, Auckland
For services to business and the community
Senior Constable Daniel Francis O'Connell, Wellington
For services to the New Zealand Police
Robin Moncrieff Oliver, Wellington
For services to the Department of Inland Revenue
Kevin John O'Sullivan, Palmerston North
For services to the Anglican Church and the community
Haydn John Rawstron, Kent, UK
For services to New Zealand interests in the United Kingdom
Puahaere Rutene, Huntly
For services to Maori and netball
Paula Ann Ryan, Auckland
For services to fashion
Rosalie Mary Sampson, Karamea
For services to conservation and the community
Le'autuli'ilagi Taotua Malaeta Fa'asapisapi Sauvao JP, Porirua
For services to the Samoan community and the community
Graeme Barry Sinclair, Auckland
For services to television
Farib Sos JP, Wellington
For services to international relations
Allan Murdoch Spence JP, Auckland
For services to law and the community
David Thomas Steele JP, Waimauku
For services to local body affairs and the community
Ian Hardy Symonds JP, Waikanae
For services to the community
Ngarau Tarawa JP, Taumarunui
For services to Maori and community education
Te Whetu Werohia Tipiwai, Napier
For services to Maori and rugby
Robert Te Ngau-ngau Tukiri JP, Huntly
For services to the community
Philippa Jane Ussher, Auckland
For services to photograhy
Irene van Dyk, Upper Hutt
For services to netball
Norman Lawrence Withers, Christchurch
For services to sport and the community
Jill Mabel Worrall, North Shore
For services to social work
Robin Wray JP, Auckland
For services to the community
THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE FORCE
ADDITIONAL ONZM ( Additional Officer of the Order):
Colonel Graeme Roger Williams, Auckland
Colonel's List, New Zealand Army
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
MNZM (Additional Member of the Order):
Commander Blair Albert Gerritsen, North Shore
Royal New Zealand Navy
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
THE QUEEN'S SERVICE ORDER
QSO (Companions of the Order):
Bruce Alexander Aitken, Dunedin
For services to education and music
Valerie Jeanette Burns, Lowe Hutt
For services to early childhood education
William John Clarke JP, Gisborne
For services to local body affairs and the community
Te Uira Graham Kerehoma, Levin
For services to Maori and the community
Ian Montgomery Grant, Auckland
For services to youth and parenting
Peter James Harrison, Auckland
For services to education
Emeritus Professor Leslie Charles Holborow, Paekakariki
For services to education and the community
Hamilton Manaia Pihopa Kingi MNZM, Rotorua
For services to the community
Inez Haereata Kingi MNZM, Rotorua
For services to the community
Jane Kominik, Wellington
For services to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Diana Elizabeth Robinson, Christchurch
For services to the Child Cancer Foundation
Kaa Kataraina Kathleen Williams, Auckland
For services to Maori
THE QUEEN'S SERVICE MEDAL
QSM
Charles Michael Aamodt, Upper Hutt
For services to the community
Stanley John Askew, Omapere
For services to the community
Senior Sergeant Ross Alan Barnaby, North Shore
For services to the New Zealand Police
Derek Quentin Battersby JP, Waitakere
For services to local body affairs
Clive Bibby, Tolaga Bay
For services to the community
William Alan Boniface, Warkworth
For services to the community
Robyn Boswell, Whangarei
For services to education
Michael Edward Brooke, New Plymouth
For services to sport and the community
Mervyn Burdge Brown, Masterton
For services to the community
Murray Carey, Whitianga
For services to brass bands and football
Shirley May Gwynneth Caspari, Hamilton
For services to the community
Ian Brackenbury Channell (The Wizard of New Zealand), Christchurch
For services to the community
John Hugh Clayton JP, Ikamatua
For services to local body affairs and the community
Keith Richard Crate, Taupo
For services to cycling
Elisabeth May Cunningham, Dunedin
For services to the community
Graeme Edwin Dabb JP, Auckland
For services to the Filipino community
Nguyen Phu Dang JP, Manukau
For services to the Vietnamese community
Valerie Myrtle Dell, Napier
For services to women and the community
Kindra Velvet Douglas, Nelson
For services to the community
John Dallin Dunlop, Napier
For services to astronomy and the community
Dr Lorna Christine Te Aroha Dyall, Auckland
For services to Maori health
James Leslie Eyers, Wanganui
For services to music and the community
Pamela Jean Fauvel, Auckland
For services to youth
Lewis Wilson Findlay, Palmerston North
For services to the community
Angus Finlayson JP, Lower Hutt
For services to local body affairs and the community
Brian Gordon Flintoff, Nelson
For services to taonga puoro
Ian Lex Forrest, Auckland
For services to the community
Sister Frances Josephine Gibbs, Wellington
For services to the community
Stephen Godfrey Guard, Nelson
For services to the maritime industry
Laly Paroane Haddon, Wellsford
For services to conservation
Olive De Courtenay Hale-Ingram, Gisborne
For services to the history of New Zealand ceramics
Judy Claris Hanbury, Waitakere
For services to conservation
Trevor James Hosking, Taupo
For services to the conservation of historic places
Thomas William Hutchinson, Kaikohe
Chief Fire Officer, Kaikohe Volunteer Fire Brigade
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service
Desmond Victor Jack, Hamilton
For services to the community
Ian Dixon (Jim) James, Hamilton
For services to orchid growing
Roslyn Ann Jerram, Opotiki
For services to the community
Leslie Clifford Johnston JP, Tuatapere
For services to the community
Christine Jennifer King JP, Manurewa
For services to the community
Au'Birthly Kingi, Manukau
For services to the Pacific Islands community
Ernest Bongard Kirk, Manukau
For services to local body affairs and the community
Naomi Diane Kirk, Manukau
For services to the community
John Alan Lancashire, Paraparaumu
For services to conservation
David Hartley Lind, Tauranga
For services to conservation and the community
Carl Ernest Lutz, Otaki
For services to the community
Sally Geraldine Macauley JP, Kaikohe
For services to local body affairs and the community
Russell Frank Mackereth, Orewa
Chief Fire Officer, Silverdale Volunteer Fire Brigade
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service
Sandra Elizabeth Maclean, Takanini
For services to senior citizens and the community
Lindsay Rihari Waitara MacLeod, New Plymouth
For services to Maori
Kenneth George McKay JP, North Shore
For services to education and the community
Peter McMillan, Christchurch
For services to the community
Alec McNab, Wanganui
For services to sport
Eamon Mark Molloy, Christchurch
For services to the ethnic community
Kevyn Douglas Moore, Napier
For services to business and the community
Margaret Elizabeth Morton, Seddon
For services to Guiding
Emare Emily Rose Nikora, Tokoroa
For services to Maori
Mildred Noakes, Auckland
For services to the community
Richard Anthony Nunns, Nelson
For services to taonga puoro
Lindsay Gordon Paku JP, Hastings
For services to Maori and Maori youth
Robert Peter Greenwood Parr, Cambridge
For services to the community
Solomon Neil Purcell, Havelock North
For services to martial arts
The Reverend Canon Donald Morris Rangi, Wellington
For services to the Treasury
Julie Te Turi Ranginui, Wanganui
For services to Maori
Robert Brunswick Robertson, Queenstown
Chief Fire Officer, Queenstown Volunteer Brigade
For services to the community
Mele 'Ilaisipa Robson, Blenheim
For services to the Pacific Islands community and the community
Shirley Joan Rudkin, Christchurch
For services to the community
Paul Aaron Sampson, Rotorua
Lately Principal Rural Fire Officer
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service
Richard Lyal Stark, Gore
For services to the community
Ellen Marion Sartori Stevenson, Hastings
For services to kindergarten administration
Wanda Tate, Porirua
For services to conservation
Constable Bryan Emlyn Ward, Auckland
For services to the New Zealand Police
Monica Hannah Mihingarangi Watson JP, Hastings
For services to Maori
James Taui Himiona Wetere, Hamilton
For services to the community
Raymund Williams, Tauranga
For services to the community
Leslie Charles Winslade, Taupo
For services to the community
THE NEW ZEALAND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE DECORATION
DSD
Warrant Officer Electronic Warfare Specialist Thomas Michael Allen MNZM, Porirua Royal New Zealand Navy
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Major Robert William Gillies, Upper Hutt
Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York's Own)
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Acting Warrant Officer Master at Arms Shirley Anne Patton, North Shore
Royal New Zealand Navy
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Major Simon John Caulfield Strombom, Porirua
Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps (Territorial Force)
For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
