This New Year ten people receiving honours have been recognised for their service to the Anglican Church, an Anglican-linked marae, school or social service agency. Honours recipients included Christchurch-based priest, the Reverend Dr Patricia Allan with an ONZM, along with outstanding leaders in the fields of farming, conservation, choral music direction, education and the arts, business leadership, philanthropy and governorship.

 The 2026 Aotearoa New Zealand Honours recipients recognised for contributions to Anglican organisations or churches are listed below.

Reverend Dr Patricia Allan was honoured as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit ONZM. Dr Allan is a Christchurch-based Anglican priest and scholar who was recognised for her decades of advocacy on behalf of survivors of abuse in the Anglican Church. Dr Allan's work to ensure the Anglican Church does a better job to protect people from abuse and respond better to survivors, included a three-month intensive study of the Episcopal Church USA's safeguarding procedures as far back as 1992. More recently Dr Allan undertook post-doctoral research on 30-years of the Anglican Church's dealings with abuse complaints and was able to report her findings to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care.
Read Patricia Allan's full citation

Graham Carr of south Canterbury gained recognition as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit ONZM for his outsized contributions to the deer industry, for environmental rejuvenation in South Canterbury through tree-planting, and for his philanthropic work including support for the Geraldine medical centre and major works safeguarding the historic St Stephen's Anglican Church in Peel Forest.
Read Graham Carr's full citation

Joe Harawira (Ngāti Awa, Ngai Te Rangi, Ngāti Maniapoto, Tūhourangi) was honoured as a Companion of the King' Service Order KSO for his service to te ao Māori through education, the performing arts, conservation and public service for more than 45 years. A renowned storyteller and advocate for Māori knowledge communicated through the traditional arts, Joe Harawira is a former recipient of the Creative NZ Te Tohu Aroha mō Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu Supreme Award for service to the arts. His service to te ao Māori includes his contributions as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Tīpene - St Stephen’s (Māori Anglican) School which he has been instrumental in supporting to reopen in 2025.
Read Joe Harawira's full citation

Jill Kerr was recognised as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for her 50 years' contribution to music education and choral music. One of only three NZers that hold the Archbishop of Canterbury's Certificate in Church Music, Jill Kerr who is conductor of the 'Hereford Voices' at Christchurch's Transitional Cathedral and for many decades has led musical performance and education at Christ Church Cathedral (formerly with the Cathedral Singers) and in three Christchurch Anglican schools. She served as Director of Music at St Margaret's College for 40 years (with 16 years as a school Board member), at Cathedral Grammar School for 6 years and has taught music at St Michael's Church School since 2019. Alongside her wider community musical leadership roles, Jill has been a lifelong affiliate of the Royal School of Church Music.
Read Jill Kerr's full citation

Nicky McArthur became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for her service to conservation and the community in Kaikōura and wider Canterbury. Alongside major contributions to conservation of endangered native seabird the Huttons Shearwater, including advocating for the Canterbury "Dark Sky" zone, she served as a Trustee of Canterbury-based (Anglican preparatory school) Waihi School from 1997 to 2003, during which time she created the 'Waihi Gala' that raised more than $50K for the school.
Read Nicky McArthur's full citation

Terence Maskell became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for his contributions to choral music in Auckland and nationally. Amongst his many choral achievements, which include significant achievements in supporting young talent, particularly young Pasifika musicians, Terence Maskell has led major choral performances of sacred music for Anglican churches and institutions, including Holy Trinity Cathedral Auckland, and served as organist, choral director and music teacher at Anglican High School, King's College.
Read Terence Maskell's full citation

Dr Caroline Oliver has been honoured as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for services to cancer research and the community. Her research with Kode Biotech led to a breakthrough in personalised immunotherapy for cancer patients. Now based in Wanaka, Dr Oliver's community service has included volunteering for Salvation Army Family Stores, sewing for refugees, and supporting Guiding. While living in Auckland, she held numerous voluntary positions in the Diocese of Auckland's Holy Trinity Cathedral parish and served as the Cathedral's People’s Warden for 13 years from 2005 -2018.
Read Caroline Oliver's full citation

Sarah Wickens was recognised as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit MNZM for her services to business. An accounting and finance specialist, she built international success with a natural skincare brand and now works mentoring companies and non-profits in Aotearoa New Zealand. She has provided considerable support to build the awareness of the Diocese of Wellington's social agency the Wellington City Mission, particularly its new facility, Whakamaru. Her work for the Mission has encouraged numerous private donations, and she has spearheaded several innovative and creative fundraising initiatives linking Whakamaru and Aotearoa New Zealand companies.
Read Sarah Wicken's full citation

Paul Wright became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit ONZM for his long service to the real-estate industry, including as Chair of Harcourts International, and his philanthropy, particularly supporting youth development and mental health. Over his years in business he has worked to direct $10 million to over 1500 charities working in education, healthcare, disaster relief and community causes. Serving as an active mentor and adviser to individuals, charities, businesses and boards, for 30 years he has hosted an annual Christmas appeal that has mobilised hundreds of people to donate gifts for children to the Christchurch City Mission.
Read Paul Wright's full citation

Del Whyte (Ngāti Kahungunu, Whakatōhea) was awarded the King's Service Medal KSM for service to marae, education, sport and the Hawke’s Bay community for more than 40 years. Alongside his extensive community service through teaching, promoting the traditional practice of tā moko, leading kapa haka and coaching rugby in Napier and around Hawke's Bay, Mr Whyte helped organise the restoration of the wharekai and wharenui at Ruahāpia Marae and restoration of Saint Matthew's Anglican Church at Waipatu Marae.
Read Del Whyte's full citation

Note: Anglican Taonga reports on people receiving Honours that directly cite service to the Anglican Church or an Anglican institution, often Anglicans are only cited for their contributions in expert fields outside Anglican institutions, so don't appear here.