A world-renowned fashion designer and a woman respected for her expertise and success in Governance have been made Dame Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit by the Government in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
This is the second highest honour in the country. The highest honour, known as the ‘Order of Merit,’ is restricted to 20 living persons.
A citation said that apart from being a successful businessperson with ten flagship boutiques worldwide and more than 200 stockists across Europe, America, Asia, Middle East and Australasia, Ms Cooper has been involved in several charitable, community service and social welfare projects.
Among the many organisations that she sponsors is the Kolkata based ‘Tomorrow’s Foundation,’ established to promote the overall development of under-privileged children.
Ms Paterson, recipient of several awards for Governance, is widely respected for her Governance roles. As well as being the Chair of Crown Irrigation Investment Limited and the Health Quality and Safety Commission, she is a Director of Vector New Zealand and a Member of New Zealand Global Women. She was honoured with the ‘Supreme Award in Governance’ at the ‘Women in Governance Awards 2013.’
Four Knights
Four men were appointed as Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. They are Dr Noble Curtis of Rotorua (Maori Education), Archbishop David Moxon of Rome, Italy (Anglican Church), former Christchurch Mayor Robert Parker (Local Body Affairs & Community) and Peter Vela of Hamilton (Thoroughbred Industry).
Our Men
The New Year’s Honours List featured just three men from our extended Indian community. The top honour among these went to Wenceslaus Anthony as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to New Zealand-India relations. A report appears under Businesslink.
New Zealand born Manoj Daji and Kanagarasa Sivaraj of Sri Lankan origin have been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for services respectively to sports & education and community. Additional reading and pictures appear under Homelink.
