Sir Rod Drury: for services to business, tech and philanthropy.

Queenstown entrepreneur Rod Drury has become Sir Rod in the 2026 New Year Honours List. He’s been awarded Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM). Crux spoke with him about the impact of the award for services to business, the technology industry and philanthropy.

Crux: Did you ever imagine when you started Xero that you’d ever become Sir Rod?

RD: I think when you’re working, you’ve got your head down and, you know, I always really, really enjoyed the journey. I always felt like spoiled and had a whole lot of fun along the way. But now I’m riding into a sort of venture philanthropy and driving good projects for New Zealand forward. So it’s nice to have the recognition and it gives me even more purpose for doing the right things.

Crux: Does this honour give you extra energy or motivation ?

RD: Well, I don’t think I’d ever be accused of being short of energy, but yeah, so it’s just nice. I try to get my head down a little bit these days and it’s nice, you know, I’ve obviously got noticed and it’s just a real sign that I’m on the right track and I think I’ve got another 10 to 20 years to do lots of good work, so yeah. Fired up.

Crux: In New Zealand we tend to have this tall poppy syndrome. Would you be embarrassed to be referred to as Sir Rod, or is that something you will embrace and welcome?

RD: I do know quite a few Sirs at the moment and I think we’re pretty casual about it down here. So I haven’t even thought about that.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to Rod Drury following today’s announcement.

“Sir Rod is a titan of New Zealand business. While at the helm of Xero, it became New Zealand’s second largest tech exporter, generating thousands of jobs and supporting more than four million customers worldwide.

“The company were pioneers in mental health and diversity. Since 2020 he has spearheaded public good infrastructure and philanthropic projects. His entrepreneurial career has seen New Zealand benefit in the fields of education, the environment, and renewable energy.”

The offical citation for today’s knighthood reads:

“Mr Rod Drury (Ngāi Tahu) has been at the forefront of entrepreneurship in New Zealand, most notably founding Xero, the global small business accounting platform.

”Mr Drury’s earlier career included establishing the successful tech companies Glazier Systems and AfterMail. Established in 2006, he was Chief Executive Officer of Xero until 2018. Xero has grown to become New Zealand’s second largest tech exporter, generating thousands of jobs across more than 25 locations, supporting more than four million customers worldwide.

“Xero has been recognised as a global leader in diversity and mental health, setting a benchmark in the tech industry, and he established the Xero Staff Welfare Trust to support staff in times of need.

“He helped drive digitisation initiatives such as online GST and the New Zealand Business Number (NZBN). Since 2020, he has focused on public-good infrastructure and philanthropy projects. He has supported initiatives regionally, particularly around Queenstown Lakes District, and nationally, spanning education, conservation and regeneration, renewable energy, retail payments architecture reform, electricity market disruption, and public policy advocacy.

“Notable initiatives have included environmental restoration through Mana Tāhuna and Project Tohu, funding equipment and facilities for Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, and support for Ngāi Tahu students and artists. He established Southern Infrastructure to support Queenstown public infrastructure projects and Tāhuna Ride and Conservation Trust, combining world-class mountain biking with regenerative planting. Since 2006, Mr Drury has received numerous entrepreneurial and national business awards.”

AWARDS
New Zealand Business Hall of Fame, 2025
AMS Global Marketer of the Year, 2017
Wellingtonian of the Year, 2014
New Zealand Entrepreneur of the Year, 2013
New Zealand Herald Business Leader of the Year, 2012
New Zealand Hi-Tech Hall of Fame, 2009
World Class New Zealander, 2008

Other local residents to be recognised in this year’s honours are:

To be a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM):

QUINN, Mr Anthony Zan (Tony) (Cromwell)

For services to motorsport and the community

Mr Tony Quinn has profoundly transformed New Zealand motorsport since 2012 through his investments and expertise.

Mr Quinn’s development of the world-class Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, opened in 2013, revolutionised the motorsport sector. He then acquired and upgraded Hampton Downs Motorsport Park in 2015 and Taupō International Motorsport Park in 2021. These facilities have delivered substantial regional benefits, including jobs, tourism, events, and economic growth. He was instrumental in securing the Australian Supercars Championship’s return to New Zealand in 2024, with a three-year deal at Taupō. In 2021, he established the Tony Quinn Foundation and Hampton Downs New Zealand Racing Academy, nurturing young talent to succeed on the world stage, with Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson being the first to benefit from the foundation. Mr Quinn is heavily involved in Cromwell community initiatives including funding mental health workshops and a school social worker in 2022, and a $750,000 investment in 2024 to revive the Street Smart defensive driving program, enhancing road safety for learner drivers in New Zealand.

AWARDS
Australian Motorsport, inaugural Perpetual Trophy for GT racing, 2018
MotorSport New Zealand, Ron Frost Award, 2017

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM):

KENNETT, Mr Richard William, JP (Glenorchy)

For services to conservation and Search and Rescue

Mr Richard Kennett has contributed to conservation around Queenstown and Glenorchy for 50 years.

Mr Kennett has held conservation roles since the mid-1970s, latterly as a Principal Ranger for Heritage and Visitor Assets with the Department of Conservation. He played a crucial role in the preservation of the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, Whakaari Scheelite mining assets, the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, Macetown, Skippers, Bullendale and Kawarau Mining Centre. He has had a significant role in the protection and management of Te Koroka pounamu Special Area, in partnership with mana whenua. He was a key driver of the management of the Routeburn Great Walk, Rees Dart and Greenstone Caples Tracks before they were declared tracks of national significance. He has undertaken urgent repair and preservation work above and beyond his paid duties at damaged heritage and recreational sites. He has a longstanding involvement in Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR), including as Whakatipu LandSAR Committee Chair from 2011 to 2017. He has been the senior non-Police representative on the SAR Incident Management Team in the Whakatipu. He has contributed to numerous significant search and recovery field operations, including as Incident Controller for the 1989 Blue Duck aircraft crash. Mr Kennett has managed several Whakatipu walking track developments and initiatives including preservation of the historic Cherry Gardens and the Glenorchy lagoon walkway.

The King’s Service Medal (KSM)

WILSON, Mrs Isabella (Ella) (Queenstown)

For services to the community and theatre

Mrs Ella Wilson has contributed long-term service as a dedicated volunteer, including 59 years with Plunket.

Since 1966, Mrs Wilson has been on numerous Plunket committees across the country, at times as Treasurer, National Councillor and President. She is a Life Member and currently the Secretary of Plunket Trust Queenstown. In 2016 she received the Southland Area Golden Award for 50 years’ service to Plunket. She is active with the volunteer-run Queenstown Lakes Baby Box Charitable Trust, distributing more than 1,000 care packages containing knitted and essential baby items to all newborns in the Queenstown Lakes District. She has been assisting Showbiz Queenstown for 29 years, including as a Committee member and Head of Makeup from 2005 to 2023, and is a Life Member. During rehearsal and production time, she caters for more than 50 people a day. She has been a retail volunteer of Queenstown Hospice Shop for more than ten years. She is the Treasurer of the Wakatipu Senior Citizens Association (WSCA). She is an active organiser of WSCA’s events and helps to serve weekly meals on a Friday. In 2024 she received a 20 years’ service award from the Altrusa Club Queenstown. In 2023 Mrs Wilson was a judge for the Otago Southland Theatre Awards.

The King’s Service Medal (KSM)

USHER, Mr Jonathan (Cromwell)

For services to the community and entertainment

Mr Jonathan Usher is an entertainer, businessman and philanthropist dedicated to community service.

Mr Usher has contributed countless hours to numerous charitable organisations including the JR McKenzie Trust, ShelterBox and the Cancer Society. He has been an active Rotarian since 1999, holding several leadership positions including President of Dunedin Rotary from 2006 to 2007 and District Governor from 2014 to 2015. He has successfully run several service stations in the South Island and has volunteered as a business mentor to help others succeed. He was an elected member of the Saddle Hill Community Board for three consecutive terms. He has been a generous donor to various local projects and is currently a member of the Dunedin City Council’s Grants Committee. As a professional magician, he has been a stalwart of entertainment in Dunedin for decades and has performed to support charitable causes on a regular basis. In 2021 he received the highest recognition at the New Zealand Magicians Convention, the Magicians Challenge Award. In 2015 he won a Kiwibank Local Hero Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Magic New Zealand, both recognising his dedication to magic and his philanthropic efforts. In 2022 Mr Usher was named Lou Clauson Variety Artist of the Year by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand.

The King’s Service Medal

KSM

ANGLAND, Ms Carol (Wānaka)

For services to the community and theatre

Ms Carol Angland has actively served her South Canterbury community for more than 50 years.

Ms Angland has been a volunteer member of the South Canterbury Drama League (SCDL) for 45 years, involved onstage, backstage, in directing plays, and with management. A past Chair of the Repertory Section, she was President of the SCDL from 2002 to 2005, overseeing major property refurbishments. She has written and directed several plays for the SCDL, most recently ‘Captain Cain’ in 2023, which received local and national acclaim. She is a Life Member of both Repertory and the SCDL. In 2011 she received a Community Service Award from Arthritis New Zealand for 15 years of voluntary service organising door-to-door and street collections for Arthritis South Canterbury. She is a Life Member of Hospice South Canterbury. A volunteer since 1996, her roles have included video producer, home carer, retail assistant, and biographer recording patients’ life stories for their families. She was a co-organiser of highly successful South Canterbury Wine and Food Festivals, a major fundraiser for Hospice. She wrote ‘Loving Care’, the history of the first 25 years of Hospice South Canterbury. Ms Angland is the author of the published histories of Presbyterian Support South Canterbury, Tennis South Canterbury and The Mid and South Canterbury Community Trust.

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM):

OLIVER, Dr Caroline Ann (Wānaka)

For services to cancer research and the community

Dr Caroline Oliver is a dedicated volunteer and clinical biotechnologist who has contributed to a groundbreaking approach to cancer treatment.

Dr Oliver’s work for Kode Biotech, in collaboration with Auckland University of Technology, has led to the development of a personalised immunotherapy treatment for cancer. Her work has been published in prestigious international journals. Kode Biotech Ltd won 2015 New Zealand Innovator of the Year for Cancer Immunotherapy. Outside her research, her contributions to the community have been diverse and impactful, ranging from volunteering with the Salvation Army Family Store and sewing for refugees, to active involvement with youth organisations such as Brownies, Guides, Keas, and Cubs. She held several voluntary positions at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Auckland and was unopposed as the elected People’s Warden between 2005 and 2018. She has been a team leader for Mainly Music in both Parnell and Wānaka, and a teacher aide teaching science at Hawea Primary School. Dr Oliver was elected President of the Royal Society Te Apūrangi Wānaka branch between 2021 and 2023, and continues with organising its monthly events.