‘‘It’s a very Kiwi thing, this position of being a jack of all trades just in order to pay the rent,’’ award-winning actor, writer and director for stage and screen Ian Mune said.
He was among 151 recipients of New Year Honours, recognised for their achievements or service to their communities.
He is joined by Dr Scott Macfarlane, also made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for transforming cancer treatment for children, and former politician Trevor Mallard, for services as a member of Parliament and as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Māori business leader Pania Tyson-Nathan has been made a dame, along with Samoan New Zealand-born Sarai-Paea Bare-man, for her services to football governance.
An actor with more than 70 screen roles to date, Sir Ian has continued to perform in a variety of film, television and theatre productions, most recently in the miniseries The Pact (2021).
‘‘The one I’m passionate about is the one I’m doing at the time,’’ he said.
‘‘If I’m acting, that’s what I’m passionate about, if I’m directing, that’s what I’m passionate about, if I’m writing, that’s what I’m passionate about.’’
Sir Ian co-wrote Sleeping Dogs (1977) and Goodbye Pork Pie (1981); and directed Came a Hot Friday (1984), coming-of-age drama End of the Golden Weather (1991), The Whole of the Moon (1997) and the sequel to Once Were Warriors, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted (1999) - to name a few.
Now 82 years old, he is recognised as a pioneer who developed the theatre and film industry into viable professions in New Zealand.
Three other health professionals have been made Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit - paediatric anaesthetist and intensive care specialist Brian Anderson, specialist anaesthetist Vanessa Beavis and radiologist Graeme Bydder.
Decisions about the recipients were made by the previous government, prior to this year’s general election.
