Tuesday 12 April (Morning)

For services to the food industry. Dame Alison is one of New Zealand’s best known food experts and writers. Since 1966, when she published her first cookery book, she has written countless newspaper columns and has regularly appeared on television and radio.  She has sold more than four million copies of her 100 books, and has topped the New Zealand Best Sellers’ list several times. She has also been a New Zealand food ambassador, promoting the use of New Zealand products. She was an advisor to the New Zealand Meat Producers Board, assisting with the international marketing of beef and lamb. She has raised more than $4 million for numerous charities. Dame Alison encourages young parents to cook healthy and reasonably-priced family meals and advocates for family values through a shared appreciation of food. She was honoured with a Queen’s Service Medal in 1983, a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1987 and an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Otago in 1997.