The National Council of Women NZ - Te Kaunihera Wahine o Aotearoa is delighted that the immense contribution women make to our community and society has been recognised in the recent Queens Birthday Honours, where women received 52% of the awards.

On average, women have been awarded 49% of the Queen’s Birthday Honours over the past five years, Suzanne Manning, President of NCWNZ, says. “These awards acknowledge the voluntary and often unsung contribution women make in so many areas of New Zealand life,” Dr Manning said.

“NCWNZ congratulates the 89 women who received awards, and especially those who are associated with the Te Kaunihera Wahine, such as Carol Beaumont, an NCWNZ Board member, and other women who belong to organisations that are affiliated with NCWNZ.

“We are pleased, too, that for the first time a person receiving an award has been identified as intersex.”

See more for an analysis of the Awards by sex and category; For media enquiries please contact 022 655 6512

2021 Queen’s Birthday honours

There were 170 awardees in the Queen’s Birthday honours, with women receiving 52% of the awards overall.  For the first time a person receiving an award has been identified as intersex.

Women received more awards in both categories: New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZ to MNZM), and the Queen Service awards (QSM and QSO).  Men received more CNZMs at 83%.

The five year average (from Queen’s Birthday 2017 to Queen’s Birthday 2021) has women receiving 49% of the awards.

Congratulations are extended to the 170 recipients, especially to those with a relationship to NCWNZ:

• Carol Ann Beaumont, of Auckland. ONZM for services to the union movement and women's rights. Carol is an NCWNZ Board member and member of Auckland Branch.
• Margaret Agnes Chapman, of Geraldine. ONZM for services to rural women and rural communities. Margaret is a member of Rural Women New Zealand.
• Fiona Mary Gower, of Tuakau. ONZM for services to rural women and governance. Fiona is a member of Rural Women New Zealand.
• Noma Jeanne Shepherd, MNZM, of Kawakawa. ONZM for services to the community. Norma is a member of Women’s Institutes.
• Beverley Celia Watson, of Auckland. ONZM for services to race relations and youth. Bev is a member of NCWNZ Auckland Branch.
• Tracey Lee Wright-Tawha, of Invercargill. Honorary MNZM for services to health and Māori. Tracey is a member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League.
• Ruth Suzanne Dyson, of Christchurch. QSO for services as a Member of Parliament and to people with disabilities.
• Judith Elaine Livingston, of Gisborne. QSM for services to music and the community. Judy is a member of the Women’s Institute.
• Elizabeth Margaret Steel, of Tapanui. QSM for services to the community. Betty was a member of the Women’s Institutes and of Rural Women New Zealand.

Others who have provided service to women include:

• Ruia Mereana Morrison, MBE, of Rotorua. DNZM for services to tennis.
• Dr Robert Simon Hearn Rowley, of Auckland. CNZM for services to paediatric and neonatal care.
• Itamua Muaiao’omalo Mataiva Dorothy Robertson, of New Plymouth. For services to women, youth and the Pacific community.
• Margaret Marie Farry-Williams, of Auckland. MNZM or services to the fashion industry and charitable fundraising.
• Dr Janet Seymour Frater, of Auckland. MNZM for services as a General Practitioner.
• Phillis-Jean Meti, of Auckland. MNZM for services to sport, particularly golf.
• Reverend Janice Ellen Stead, of Christchurch. MNZM for services to sport and the community.
• Mairehe Louise Marie Tankersley, of Christchurch. MNZM for services to prisoners' welfare and Māori.
• Karen Vercoe, of Rotorua. MNZM for services to governance and sport.
• Peter Anthony Miskimmin, of Lower Hutt. QSO for services to sports governance and public service.
• Heather Leigh Tanguay, of Auckland. QSO for services to local government and the community.
• Suzanne Blakely, of Christchurch. QSM for services to refugees and ESOL education.
• Habib Ullah Marwat, of Christchurch. QSM for services to Muslim and ethnic communities.
• Rachael Anne Utumapu, of New Plymouth. QSM for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and people with cancer.

Information about nominating someone for an honour is available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.  Nomination forms are accepted throughout the year, but the processing and consideration of nominations is likely to take at least six months prior to the announcement of an honours list at Queen's Birthday or New Year.