King’s Birthday Honours 2026 Full List: 178 New Zealanders Honoured

The King’s Birthday Honours 2026 Full List has put a spotlight on 178 New Zealanders whose work has shaped public life, sport, education, health, culture and community service across Aotearoa.

This year’s list includes 83 women and 95 men, with community, voluntary and local service making up the largest area of recognition. Education, health, sport and recreation also featured strongly, showing how widely the honours reach beyond headline names.

Among the most recognised figures are White Ferns great Suzie Bates, former Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier, Olympic discus champion Beatrice Faumuinā, veteran journalist Barry Soper, producer Chloe Smith, and several leading Māori academics and cultural figures.

New Knights and Dames lead the 2026 honours list

Six recipients received the highest-profile appointments as new Knights and Dames. Susan Hassall, known as the first woman appointed headmaster of a boys’ state school, became a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education. Professor Elizabeth Rata, a University of Auckland sociologist, was also made a Dame for her contribution to education.

The new Knights Companion are Dr Paul Baker for services to health, Peter Boshier for services to the state and judiciary, Professor Emeritus James Chapman for services to literacy education, and David Ellis for services to the thoroughbred industry and philanthropy.

Boshier’s recognition is one of the most prominent public-service honours in the 2026 list. His work as Chief Ombudsman placed him at the centre of government accountability, transparency and public trust — areas that remain central to New Zealand’s democratic institutions.

Sport also delivered some of the year’s most searched names. Suzie Bates was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cricket and basketball. Bates has been one of New Zealand’s most influential women’s cricketers, helping lift the profile of the White Ferns and women’s sport more broadly.

Beatrice Faumuinā was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport and governance. Her recognition reflects not only her Olympic and international athletics career, but also her work beyond competition. Rugby names were also present, with Earle Kirton and Vania Wolfgramm honoured for services to the game.

Māori leadership, education and community service stand out

The 2026 honours list gave strong recognition to Māori leadership, scholarship, language and culture. Dr Reuben Collier and Professor Emeritus Pare Keiha were recognised for services to Māori and education. Dr Te Ripowai Higgins was honoured for services to education and Māori, while Riki Manuel received recognition for Māori art.

Other Māori-focused honours included Rahera Shortland for Māori language education, Rauru Kirikiri for Māori, science and conservation, Dean Rangihuna for Māori mental health and addiction services, and David Rogers for conservation and Māori.

Education was another major theme. Alongside Hassall, Rata and Chapman, the list recognised Patrick Gale, Alan McIntyre, Bruce McLachlan, Charles Norrish, Lorraine Taylor and Denise Torrey for long service in schools and education leadership.

In media and entertainment, Barry Soper was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to journalism. Chloe Smith was appointed a Companion for services to the screen industry, adding the creative sector to a list that also spans public service, health, conservation, business and philanthropy.

Health and science were represented through names including Professor Caroline Crowther for maternal and perinatal health, Associate Professor Nicola Austin for children’s health, Dr Yvonne LeFort for breastfeeding medicine, and Professor Alan Hemmings, who received the New Zealand Antarctic Medal for services to Antarctic law and environmental protection.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon congratulated the recipients, saying their achievements and service helped make New Zealand stronger. The official honours details are available through the New Zealand Royal Honours website.

While famous names will attract attention, the wider story of the King’s Birthday Honours 2026 is the scale of service across everyday New Zealand. The list includes teachers, health workers, police officers, Fire and Emergency contributors, Defence Force personnel, conservationists, volunteers, community organisers, disability advocates, Pacific leaders, migrant-support workers and local government figures.

That breadth is what gives the honours list its public value. It records not just individual success, but the work that keeps communities functioning — from classrooms and hospitals to sports clubs, cultural organisations and public institutions.

For related New Zealand coverage, read Swikblog’s report on International Everest Day 2026 and the legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary.

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