Venkat Raman
Three Indians feature on the New Year Honours List of Queen Elizabeth announced by the Office of the Governor General on December 30, 2017.
Parshotam Govind, Ray Raman Annamalai and Raewyn Bhana are to receive the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) for their services to the community.
Mr Govind has twice served as President of the Auckland Indian Association, which he joined in 1983. During previous service as Secretary, he was involved in the purchase of what is now the Mahatma Gandhi Centre (on Eden Terrace in Auckland), helping fundraise to pay for the property and refurbish the building.
Mr Annamalai is being honoured for his special services to Tamil Culture, while Ms Bhana is being recognised for her community initiatives including campaign against family violence and family harm and Maori culture.
The Order of New Zealand
Cassia Joy Coles (known as Joy Cowley) is being inducted in to the ‘The Order of New Zealand,’ the country’s highest civilian honour.
Ms Cowley, recognised for her services to New Zealand, has authored several books for children and is acknowledged for inculcating the reading habit in them.
PM congratulates
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that although the Honours List was prepared by the previous National government, she was delighted to recognise exceptional New Zealanders.
“As an aunty, I love reading books to my nieces, and hence it is lovely to congratulate Joy Cowley. Her extraordinary contribution to literature and literacy is treasured in New Zealand and internationally. She has brought delight to many young New Zealanders, as well as to those who read her books to them. Her work demonstrates the wonderful opportunity that authors have to not only engage and inspire but also educate,” she said.
“As Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, I congratulate the 26 New Zealanders recognised for their contributions to arts and culture,” she added.
Dames Companion
Annette King, former Deputy Leader of Labour Party and a Minister under the Labour governments in the past, has been made ‘Dames Companion of the Order of New Zealand,’ a high honour of the ‘New Zealand Order of Merit.’
Ms Ardern described Ms King as “a mentor, colleague and friend.”
“Annette’s example as a Cabinet Minister, Electorate MP and our longest serving woman MP, is one that members across Parliament strive to emulate. She is well respected across the political spectrum and loved by her community,” Ms Ardern said.
Among others honoured as Dame Companion are Ms Rangimarie Naida Glavish, ONZM, Auckland, for services to Maori and the community; Denise Ann L’Estrange-Corbet, for services to fashion and the community; Georgina Manunui te Heuheu, Auckland, for services to the State and Maori.
Knights Companion
Four persons have been made Knights Companion, carrying the honorific of ‘Sir’ before their first name.
They are former Minister and UnitedFuture Party (now wound up) Leader Peter Dunne for his services as Member of Parliament, Herbert Clarke, CNZM, Lower Hutt, for services to Maori and heritage preservation; Douglas White, QC, Wellington, for services to the judiciary; Bryan Williams for services to Rugby.
