New Year Honours

Author James McNeish has received a knighthood for services to literature.

He was one of many creative New Zealanders recognised in the New Year Honours.

Sir James is a novelist, playwright and biographer. He has written more than 20 books, including Lovelock which was nominated for a Booker Prize in 1986. His most recent work is the novel The Crime of Huey Dunstan. He has received a number of fellowships and awards, including the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement in Non-Fiction in 2010.

Michael Hill was also appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for his services to business and the arts. Sir Michael founded the International Violin Competition.

One of the country’s highest honours went to Ray Avery, who became a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to philanthropy. Sir Ray released his autobiography Rebel with a Cause in 2010. Read more about him in this interview by Renee Liang. 

Kiwi cooking icon Alison Holst was made a Dame Companion for her services to the food industry.

See the related list of creative New Zealanders who received a New Year honour below. Services to the arts, literature, media, broadcasting, music, photography and performing arts were recognised.The honours list was released on December 31, 2010.

THE NEW ZEALAND ORDER OF MERIT

GNZM - Knight Grand Companion

Raymond John Avery, Auckland, for services to philanthropy.

DNZM - Dame Companion

Alison Margaret Holst, CBE, QSM, Orewa, for services to the food industry.

KNZM - Knights Companion

Mr Richard Michael Hill, CNZM, of Arrowtown.  For services to business and the arts.

Mr James Henry Peter McNeish, of Wellington.  For services to literature.

CNZM - Companions

Mr Peter George Bush, QSM, of Wellington.  For services to photography.

Mrs Letitia June Clifford, QSM, of Napier.  For services to music and the community.

ONZM - Officers

Mr Thomas David Henshaw, of Hamilton.  For services as a cartoonist.

Mr Phillip John Leishman, of Auckland.  For services to media and the community.

Mr Richard Arthur Long, of Wellington.  For services to journalism.

Dr Keith Ian Desmond Maslen, of Dunedin.  For services to literature and bibliography.

MNZM - Members

Mr Garth Edward George, of Rotorua.  For services to journalism.

Mr William Frank Guest, of Wellington.  For services to the performing arts.

Ms Alexa Mary Johnston, of Auckland.  For services to the arts.

Mr Anthony George Lewis, of Christchurch.  For services to music.

Mr Brendan Michael Smyth, of Wellington.  For services to the music industry.

Mr Graham Charles Stewart, of Wellington.  For services to historical research and photography.

Mr Roy Bruce Tankersley, of Palmerston North.  For services to music.

THE QUEEN'S SERVICE MEDAL - QSM

Mr Heugh Henry Noel Chappell, of Havelock North.  For services to broadcasting and the community.

Mr Peter Donaldson Ellery, of Palmerston North.  For services to brass bands.

Mrs Penelope Jane Hansen, JP, of Auckland.  For services to literature and the community.

Mrs Lesley Margaret Jackson, of Hokitika.  For services to music and the community.

Mrs Elsie Gertrude Morriss, of Ashburton.  For services to the arts.

Mrs Rosemary Ruth Reid, of Alexandra.  For services to music.