Investiture ceremony to be held in Christchurch

For the first time in more than 40 years, the achievements of New Zealanders will be celebrated at an investiture ceremony in Christchurch on Thursday.

The Governor-General, Hon Anand Satyanand, will host an investiture ceremony at the Air Force Museum at Wigram at 10.30am on Thursday (19 March). The 37 people being honoured include Professor David Skegg, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago, who is to be made a Distinguished Companion of the NZ Order of Merit.

The closure of Government House Wellington for a major conservation project has provided the opportunity for the investiture ceremony to be held in Christchurch. It is understood the last time an investiture ceremony was held in Christchurch was during the term of Governor-General, Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson (1962-1967). 

Also receiving awards are: Christchurch philanthropist Diana, Lady Isaac; Felicity Price, Chair of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra; Lincoln University scientist Professor Caroline Saunders; Canterbury University sociologist Professor David Thorns; Save Manapouri campaigner Christine Henderson; and Paralympic gold medal swimmer Sophie Pascoe.  The full list is:

• Prof David Skegg, Dunedin, DCNZM, for services to medicine.
• Ward Clarke, Christchurch, QSO, for services to education.
• Barbara Holland, Greymouth, QSO, for services to health.
• Prof Harlene Hayne, Mosgiel, ONZM, for services to scientific and medical research.
• Prof Graham Hill, Wanaka, ONZM, for services to medicine.
• Diana, Lady Isaac, Christchurch, ONZM, for services to business, conservation and the community.
• Mayumi Moriyama, Tokyo, ONZM, for services to New Zealand-Japan relations.
• Felicity Price, Christchurch, ONZM, for services to the arts and business.
• A/Prof Bridget Robinson, Lyttelton, ONZM, for services to medicine.
• Prof Caroline Saunders, Christchurch, ONZM, for services to agricultural research.
• Prof David Thorns, Christchurch, ONZM for services to urban sociology.
• Prof Geoffrey White, Dunedin, ONZM for services to science, in particular psychology.
• Elgregoe Britt, Christchurch, MNZM, for services to education.
• Jan Coll, JP, Westport, MNZM, for services to the community.
• Amosa Fa'afoi, Christchurch, MNZM, for services to the Pacific Island community.
• Col Brendon Fraher, Wanaka, MNZM, for services to the Defence Force.
• Christine Henderson, Lumsden, MNZM, for services to conservation.
• Sophie Pascoe, Christchurch, MNZM, for services to swimming.
• John Penisula, Invercargill, MNZM, for services to art.
• Nola Stuart, JP, Riverton, MNZM, for services to the community.
• Julie Stufkens, Christchurch, MNZM, for services to dietetics and paediatric nutrition.
• Steve Wilson, Christchurch, MNZM, for services to business.
• Shirley Alabaster, Alexandra, QSM, for services to the community.
• Helen Algar, Oamaru, QSM, for services to health and disability issues.
• Wiki Baker, Temuka, QSM, for services to Māori, music and the community.
• Jeanette Blackadder, JP, Christchurch, QSM, for services to country music.
• Judith Bruce, Christchurch, QSM, for services to the community.
• Ashley Day, JP, Dunedin, QSM, for services to education.
• Dr Michael Floate, Cromwell, QSM, for services to conservation and mountaineering.
• Robin Frahm, JP, Oxford, QSM, for services to the community.
• Susan Wei Hou, Dunedin, QSM, for services to the Chinese community.
• Brian Hulton, Kaiapoi, QSM, for services to soccer.
• Lindsay Malcolm, Oamaru, QSM, for services to the community.
• Fraser Ross, Timaru, QSM, for services to conservation.
• Maureen Smith, Motueka, QSM, for services to the community.
• Archdeacon Richard Wallace, Hokitika, QSM, for services to Māori.
• Mary Woods, Christchurch, QSM, for services to volunteering.

To see images from the ceremony click here.