Ian Mune Photo: Supplied
One of New Zealand's first film industry stars and a child cancer doctor are among recipients of the country's top honours.
"It's a very Kiwi thing, this position of being a jack-of-all-trades just in order to pay the rent," says award-winning actor, writer and director for stage and screen, Ian Mune.
He was among 151 recipients of New Year Honours, recognised for their achievements or service to their communities.
He's joined by Dr Scott Macfarlane, also made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for transforming cancer treatment for children, and The Right Honourable Trevor Mallard, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Māori business leader Pania Tyson-Nathan has been made a Dame, along with Samoan New Zealand-born Sarai Bareman, for her services to football governance.
Top from left: Ian Mune, Scott Macfarlane, Trevor Mallard, Sarai Bareman, Pania Tyson-Nathan, recipients of the country's top honours. Photo: RNZ
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 mini-series The Pact (2021).
"The one I'm passionate about is the one I'm doing at the time," he told RNZ. "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."
He co-wrote Sleeping Dogs (1977) and Goodbye Pork Pie (1981); and directed Came a Hot Friday (1984), the 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 Brokenhearted (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.
Noted New Zealand hymn writer Marnie Barrell has been recognised for her work and made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. The music teacher, lay preacher and musician at St Mary's Anglican Church in Christchurch has been hymn writing since 1986 and estimates she has written "50 or 60".
She told RNZ she was "incredulous and delighted" to be listed as a recipient - but only after she realised the email wasn't a scam.
When asked what made a good hymn, she said: "It's on the edge of poetry.
"It needs to be connected with the historic faith of the Church but also needs to move in contemporary directions.
"The Church's thinking does evolve a great deal over time."
Decisions about the recipients were made by the previous government, prior to the 2023 General Election.
Below is the full list of the New Year Honours for 2024.
DNZM: To be Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Sarai-Paea (Sarai) Bareman - For services to football governance
Pania Tyson-Nathan (Rongomaiwahine), MNZM, JP - For services to Māori and business
KNZM: To be Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Dr Scott Duncan Macfarlane - For services to health
The Right Honourable Trevor Colin Mallard - For services as a Member of Parliament and as Speaker of the House of Representatives
Ian Barry Mune, OBE - For services to film, television and theatre
CNZM: To be Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Professor Brian Joseph Anderson - For services to paediatrics and anaesthesia
Dr Vanessa Shona Beavis - For services to anaesthesia
David Kenrick Beeche - For services to sports administration
Professor Timothy Clinton Bell - For services to computer science education
John Donald Brakenridge - For services to the New Zealand food and fibre sectors and the merino industry
Professor Graeme Mervyn Bydder - For services to medical imaging
Philip (Pip) Maxwell Cheshire - For services to architecture
Clive Ernest Fugill (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Rangi Wewehi) - For services to Māori art
Dale Mary Adeline Garratt - For services to Christian music production
David Reginald Garratt - For services to Christian music production
Clive David (David) Hill, MNZM - For services to literature, particularly children's literature
Yolanda Lou-Anne Wisewitch Soryl - For services to literacy education
Dr Kevin Edward Trenberth - For services to geophysics
Jo-anne Edna Mary (Lady Dingle) Wilkinson, MNZM - For services to youth
James Ross (Ross) Wilson (Ngāi Tahu) - For services to the trade union movement and workplace safety
Dr Johanna Julene Wood - For services to football governance
ONZM: To be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Associate Professor James Gregory (Greg) Anson - For services to exercise sciences and neuroscience
Susan Battye - for services to performing arts education
Professor Francis Harry (Frank) Bloomfield - For services to neonatology
Ereti Taetuha (Letty) Brown (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāti Porou), QSM - For services to Māori and early childhood education
Richard Waldron Bunton - For services as a cardiac surgeon
Steven George (Steve) Campbell - For services to Search and Rescue
Dr Rosemary Beatrice Cathcart, QSM - For services to gifted children
Dr Cherie Maria Chu-Fuluifaga - For services to education
Valerie Ann (Val) Deakin - For services to dance
Barbara Helen Dreaver - For services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities
Dr Graeme Peter Elliott - For services to wildlife conservation
Philip Douglas Gifford - For services to broadcasting and sports journalism
Theodora Mary Götz - For services to gymnastics
Anthony Trevor Gray - For services to accounting and Māori business
Detective Inspector Craig James Hamilton - For services to the New Zealand Police and community
Rosemary Alice (Rose) Henderson - For services to social work and health
Robert George Holding - For services to Pacific literature and business
Associate Professor Tristram Richard Ingham (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Ngāti Porou) - For services to the disability community
Emeritus Professor Edith Marion (Marion) Jones - For services to education
Marie Carmel Celebrado Lindaya - For services to multicultural communities
Frank Lindsay - For services to the apiculture industry
Norah Elizabeth (Elizabeth) Matthews - for services to curling
Hamish John McCrostie - For services to outdoor recreation and Search and Rescue
James Robert Morris - For services to table tennis
Dr Hana Merenea O'Regan (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) - For services to education
Dr Anneliese Ruth Parkin - for services to the Public Service
Jane Frances Patterson, MNZM - For services to sports administration
Kevin Frank Pivac - For services to the deaf rugby community
Mary Jane Rivers - For services to community-led development, governance and education
Dr Caroline Seelig - For services to education
Tania Joy Te Rangingangana Simpson (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngā Puhi, Ngāi Tahu) - For services to governance and Māori
Dr Simon Snook - For services to reproductive health
Larnce Joseph Wichman - For services to the seafood industry and marine conservation
Rosemary Dawn (Rose) Wilkinson - For services to the blind and vision impaired community
Major General Evan George Williams - For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Emeritus Professor Peter Donald (Don) Wilson - For services to obstetrics and gynaecology
Jodi Ann Wright - For services to the arts
MNZM: To be Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit
Harriet Bennett Allan - For services to the publishing industry
Margaret Louise (Marnie) Barrell - For services as a hymn writer
Luke Boustridge - For services to the electrical industry and vocational training
Monica Jacqueline Briggs - For services to women and governance
Patrick William Bronte - For services to military history
Barbara Joan Dewson - For services to dental and oral health therapy
Carla Elena Donson - For services to women and the community
Aaron Murray Fleming - For services to the community and sport
Tevita Filisonu'u Funaki - For services to Pacific health
Robert Lawrence Gemmell - For services to martial arts and the community
Pamela Mary (Pam) Hanna - For services to the community and early childhood education
Roslyn Aileen Hiini - For services to women and the union movement
Phillip Terence (Phil) Humphreys - For services to people with disabilities and sport
Christine Mary (Kira) Hundleby - For services to Pacific arts
Richard Geoffrey Keddell - For services to orthopaedics
Trevor John Kempton - For services to the arts and local government
Julie Ann King - For services to education
Joan (Jo) Knight - For services to the environment
Patricia Jacqueline (Jacqui) Knight - For services to Lepidoptera conservation and the community
Philippa Agnes Laufiso - For services to arts and the community
Vivien Lynette Heretaniwha (Heretaniwha) Lee - For services to prisoner support and Māori
Tupe Lualua - For services to the arts
Huhana Te Uru Naomi Anne (Naomi) Manu (Rangitāne, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga) - For services to STEM education and Māori
Aych Carlin McArdle - For services to the rainbow community
Pearl Naulder - For services to education
Aaron Roger Nicholson - For services to the New Zealand Police and Search and Rescue
Dinah Jane Okeby - For services to the Public Service
Kahira Rata Patricia Olley (Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Toa) - For services to women, youth and the prevention of family violence
Ria Dawn Percival - For services to football
Dr Anne Doloras Perera - For services to food science and nutrition
Anuradha Ramkumar - For services to Indian classical dance
Paul William James Reti (Ngāpuhi) - For services to ju-jitsu
Alexandra Lowe (Ali) Riley - For services to football
Silao Vaisola (Lemalu Silao) Sefo - For services to Pacific health
Susan Jane (Jane) Sinclair - For services to art and education
Prem Singh - For services to multicultural communities
Harold Edgar (Edgar) Spark - For services to railway unions
The Honourable Maryan Street - For services as a Member of Parliament and to human and democratic rights
Dr Tamasailau Suaalii-Sauni - For services to education
Yvonne Lenette (Bonnie) Sue - For services to health and Māori
Joyce Alma Talbot - For services to the sailing administration
Professor Yvonne Jasmine Te Ruki Rangi o Tangaroa Underhill - For services to tertiary education and Pacific Development
Makerita (Vaosa ole Tagaloa Makerita Urale) Urale - For services to Pacific arts
Tama-o-Rangi (Tama) Waipara (Ngāti Ruapani, Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou) - For services to Māori music
David John West - For services to community development
Diane Christine Wilson (Maniapoto) - For services to the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association
Senior Sergeant Karl Edwin Rostance Wilson - For services to the New Zealand Police, disaster victim identification and Search and Rescue
Lindsay Macdonald Wood - For services to environmental sustainability and climate change awareness
Honorary
Ismail Kaşdemir - For services to New Zealand-Türkiye relations
The Queen's Service Order QSO: To be Companions of the Queen's Service Order
Paul Thomas Gibson - For services to disabled people
The Queen's Service Medal QSM
Victoria Louise Andrews - For services to heritage preservation and conservation
Lyall Ashley Bailey - For services to the community and local government
David Alan (Ginge) Burnett - For services to multisport
Ian Peter (Peter) Carr, JP - For services to the community
Neville Albert Carter - For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand rugby
Paul Clements - For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
Ewen Douglas Phillip Coleman - For services to theatre
Lawrence John (Laurie) Counsell - For services to rowing
Alison Eleanor Crawford - For services to the community
Russel George Geange - For services to swimming and rugby
Helen Alison Gordon - For services to the community
Trevor John Hawkins (Ngāti Kahungunu) - For services to the community
Katherine Jane (Katie Terris) Hawley - For services to the community and the arts
Barbara Mary Hay - For services to the community and education
Kristeen Elizabeth Johnston - For services to the community
Eruera Taihaere (Eru) Kaiwai (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti) - For services to the community
Allan John Kerr - For services to music
Geoffrey Ramon (Geoff) Lienert - For services to sports administration, particularly cycling and athletics
Te Ao Marama Maaka (Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Wairere a Ngāi te Rangi) - For services to the community
Brian Campbell McCandless, CB, CBE - For services to the community
Desmond Frank (Des) Meads - For services to hockey and the community
Ngahiwi Takamore Meroiti (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tama) - For services to netball
Dr Michael John Hugh Miller - For services to rural health
Manisha Morar - For services to the Indian community
Bruce Alexander Nairn - For services to the community and sport
Hansaben Dhanji (Hansa) Naran, JP - For services to the Indian community
Karen Gaye Ngatai - For services to the community
Joy Margaret Oakly - For services to women and education
Gavin John O'Donnell - For services to the rural community and conservation
Brian Ernest Gladstone Pegler - For services to social work
James Harry (Harry) Piner, MStJ - For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community
Alister Douglas Robertson - For services to people with dementia
Jennifer Mary Mayson Saywood, JP - For services to restorative justice and women
Jennifer Mary Schollum - For services to the community and heritage preservation
Susan Gay (Susan Jordan) Stevens Jordan - For services to seniors and dance
Rowena Ngaio Tana (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Manu, Te Kapotai, Ngāti Kawa, Te Orewai, Ngāti Te Ara, Ngāpuhi), JP - For services to the Māori community
Rai Vaeruarangi - For services to the Cook Islands community
William Neil (Neil) Walker - For services to outdoor bowls and smallbore rifle shooting
Athula Cuda Bandara Wanasinghe, JP - For services to the Sri Lankan community and cricket
Honorary
Liyanage Sadun Sampath (Sadun) Kithulagoda - For services to the Sri Lankan community
The New Zealand Antarctic Medal NZAM
Dr Megan Ruby Balks - For services to Antarctic soil science
The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration DSD
Lieutenant Commander Louis James Munden-Hooper - For services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Lieutenant Commander Makoare Kohupara (Mark) Te Kani (Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Whakatōhea), MNZM - For services to the New Zealand Defence Force