Main Image: From top left, David Dobbyn, Professor Mary Anne Salmond, Juliet Gerrard, and Sir Mason Durie. Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly, Jane Ussher, Supplied, RNZ / Leigh Marama McLachlan

The New Year Honours 2021 list has been announced today, and it includes celebrated singer-songwriter Dave Dobbyn and one of the country's leading epidemiologists, Professor Michael Baker.

From top left, David Dobbyn, Professor Mary Anne Salmond, Juliet Gerrard, and Sir Mason Durie. Photo: RNZ / Claire Eastham-Farrelly, Jane Ussher, Supplied, RNZ / Leigh Marama McLachlan

Dave Dobbyn, with a career spanning 40 years, has been knighted for his services to music.

Professor Michael Baker, who has been a leading voice in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, has been appointed to the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to public health science.

Juliet Gerrard, the prime minister's chief science adviser, has been made a dame for services to science, and former MP David Carter has been made a knight for services as an MP and Speaker of the House.

The list also includes economist Suzanne Snively, Māori academic leader Sir Mason Durie, public health academic Cynthia Kiro, businessman and former television presenter Ian Taylor, Māori academic Pou William Temara, and social scientist Dame Mary Anne Salmond.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a theme of this year's New Year Honours was that the work of those recognised for improving lives continued.

Ardern said the awards showcased amazing achievements despite the challenges of the year.

She said the country was richer for the contributions of people like Prof Salmond and Mason Durie.

Attorney-General David Parker said two retired judges recognised in the list helped deliver stronger environmental protections.

Tony Randerson and Lyn Stevens QCs were appointed Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Randerson has chaired two government reviews into resource management in New Zealand, while Stevens headed an inquiry into the 2016 Havelock North water contamination.

"Drinking water is the most basic determinant of health. The report led by Hon Lyn Stevens highlighted the failures in our system and recommended changes to substantially improve the safety of drinking water across the country," Parker said.

"We owe both a debt of gratitude for their achievements and their outstanding contributions."

Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio said it was inspiring to see 13 Pacific recipients in this year's list.

Aupito highlighted the work of early childhood educator Afamasaga Vaafusuaga Telesia McDonald-Alipia, Reverend Elder Tumama Vili, Dr Tasileta Teevale and disability advocate Theresia Selina Weir. He said each had made a genuine impact on the communities they had worked with.

The Royal Honours system thanks and congratulates people who have served their communities and recognises people's achievements.

Anyone can nominate anyone for a New Zealand Royal Honour, with 154 people on this year's list.

New Year's Honours List To be a Member of the Order of New Zealand:

Dame Anne Salmond. She is an eminent writer and social scientist who is internationally recognised for her work since the 1970s on cross-cultural exchanges and environmental matters.

She is a Distinguished Professor of Māori Studies and Anthropology at the University of Auckland, where she was also pro-vice chancellor (equal opportunity) from 1997 to 2006. Salmond has written a series of prize-winning books that focus on what happens when people from different cultures encounter and engage with each other.

Professor Emeritus Sir Mason Harold Durie, KNZM.

Sir Mason Durie, over more than 40 years, has been at the forefront of a transformational approach to Māori health and has played major roles in building the Māori health workforce.

He has also championed higher education for Māori and provided national academic leadership for Māori and indigenous development in roles as deputy chair of Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Professor of Māori Research and Development, and as deputy vice-chancellor at Massey University until 2012.

To be a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

Professor Juliet Ann Gerrard, for services to science.

Prof Gerrard is a biochemist at the University of Auckland and was appointed as the prime minister's chief science adviser, Kaitohutohu Mātanga Pūtaiao Matua ki te Pirimia in 2018.

Her research background is broad and interdisciplinary, with particular interests in fundamental and applied protein science. She has more than 175 publications, including three books.

To be a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

Professor Cynthia Alcyion (Cindy) Kiro, for services to child wellbeing and education

Prof Kiro is an academic who has worked in roles focusing on improving life outcomes for children and young people who experience social marginalisation or exclusion.

She is the University of Auckland's pro vice-chancellor (Māori) and a professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work. In the past two years, she has led two critical developments, namely a formal te reo Māori policy and committing the university to a Te Tiriti policy.

Suzanne Lee Snively, ONZM, for services to governance. She has chaired the New Zealand chapter (TINZ) of the global organisation Transparency International (TI) since 2011.

She has played a pivotal role in advocacy and leadership on matters of public and private sector integrity, accountability and good governance, and has been an effective advocate for anti-corruption mechanisms. She was project leader on two National Integrity System (NIS) assessments which have had positive influences on the New Zealand public sector and on anti-corruption law and policy approaches. She has led the Public Sector Leaders Integrity Forum and has also supported anti-corruption efforts across the Pacific.

To be a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

The Right Honourable David Cunningham Carter, for services as a Member of Parliament and as Speaker of the House of Representatives

Carter was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017 and held ministerial portfolios in the fourth and fifth National governments.

Carter was first elected to Parliament as the member for Selwyn in 1994, and was MP for Banks Peninsula from 1996 to 1999. He was Minister for Revenue and held associate ministerial portfolios from 1998 to 1999. He was Minister for Agriculture, Biosecurity and Forestry from 2008 to 2011, before becoming minister of the newly established Ministry for Primary Industries from 2011 to 2013.

David Joseph (Dave) Dobbyn, ONZM, for services to music. Dobbyn received a record number of music awards and Silver Scrolls for his work across nine studio albums over a 40-year career.

Dobbyn came to prominence in 1979 with Th'Dudes, who undertook a reunion tour in 2006, and in the 1980s with DD Smash, before going solo.

He performed free concerts for residents of Matata after the floods, spent time at community centres following the Christchurch earthquakes, and has an ongoing connection to the families of the Pike River Mine tragedy after writing This Love in honour of the 29 men who lost their lives. In 2017, he recorded his anthem Welcome Home - Nau Mai Ra in te reo Māori. He was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2013.

Ian Lemuel Taylor, CNZM, for services to broadcasting, business and the community. He was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2012 for his services to television and business.

His business, Animation Research Ltd, is in its 30th year and continues to be a global leader in technology development, having pioneered and been a world leader in real-time 3D visualisation for major sports broadcasts.

Professor Pou William Te Rangiua Temara, CNZM, for services to Māori and education.

To be Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

Professor Stephen Thomas Chambers, for services to infectious disease research.

Suzanne Eleanor Chetwin, for services to consumer rights.

Dr Annabel Kirsten Finucane, ONZM, for services to health, particularly paediatric heart surgery.

Robert Ian Fyfe, for services to business and tourism.

Dr Stuart Peter Gowland, QSO, for services to health and education.

Michael Jon Hamilton, for services to marine engineering and business.

Deborah Ann Hockley, MNZM, for services to cricket.

Distinguished Professor Philippa Lynne Howden-Chapman, QSO, for services to public health.

Albert Archibald Jelley, OBE, for services to athletics and the game of bridge.

Dr David William Kerr, for services to health and business.

Dr Gerard David McSweeney, QSO, for services to conservation.

Professor Emeritus Louise Frances Basford Nicholson, for services to neuroscience and education.

The Honourable Anthony Penrose Randerson, QC, for services to the judiciary.

Distinguished Professor Ian Reginald Reid, for services to medicine.

The Honourable Lynton Laurence Stevens, QC, for services to the judiciary and the community.

To be Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

Denis William Aitken, JP, for services to the dairy industry and the community.

Afamasaga Vaafusuaga Telesia McDonald Alipia, for services to Pacific early childhood education.

Lisa Joy Allpress, for services to the racing industry.

Allan Ward Beck, QSM, for services to agricultural aviation and aviation safety.

Donovan Paul Bixley, for services to children's fiction and as an illustrator.

Professor Jonathan George Boston, for services to public and social policy.

Alistair Grant Davis, for services to the motor industry, business and sustainability.

Leo Michael Donnelly, for services to karate.

Peter Dennis Elliott, for services to the performing arts and baseball.

Professor Angela Rosina Farrow, for services to the arts, particularly theatre.

Dr Christine Margaret Foley, for services to victims of sexual assault.

Dr Janette Fay Irvine, for services to women and women's health.

Murray Campbell Lynch, for services to theatre.

Dr Timothy Michael Malloy, for services to health.

Dr Colin Douglas Meurk, for services to ecological restoration.

The Right Reverend Te Kītohi Wiremu Pikaahu, for services to the Anglican Church and Māori.

Brenda Pilott, for services to social and public service sectors.

Superintendent John Richard Price, OStJ, for services to New Zealand Police and the community.

Joanna Ruth Randerson, for services to the performing arts.

Dr Geoffrey Wayne Rice, for services to historical research and tertiary education.

Victor John Rodger, for services to theatre and Pacific arts.

Guy Winston Salmon, for services to the environment.

Burton Ross Shipley, for services to basketball.

Roger Wilson Steele, for services to the publishing industry and the arts.

Dr Gail Tewaru Tipa, for services to Māori and environmental management.

Adjunct Associate Professor James Alan Tully, for services to journalism and education.

Colleen Mary Upton, for services to the plumbing and gasfitting industry and women.

William Raymond Wallace, JP, for services to local government and the community.

Chloe Angela Carol Wright, for services to philanthropy, education and health.

To be Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

Inspector Tamuera Aitama Aberahama, for services to New Zealand Police and the community.

Susan Veronica Anderson, JP, for services to restorative justice.

Dr Lisa Shelley Argilla, for services to animal welfare and conservation.

Professor Michael George Baker, for services to public health science

Janet Elsie Barnes, JP, for services to local government and the community.

Christina Joy Barton, for services to art history and curation.

Major David Thomas Bennett, for services to the Salvation Army and the community.

Mark Alexander Bowden, for services to education.

Sheena Cameron, for services to education.

Kendra Margaret Cocksedge, for services to rugby.

Michelle Anne Crook, for services to the community.

Vanisa Dhiru, JP, for services to the community and gender rights.

Edward John Edwards, for services to sustainable business and harness racing.

Kenneth John Forrest, for services to the electricity industry and business.

Prudence Anne Gooch, for services to dance.

Dr Sally-Ann Harbison, for services to forensic science.

Professor Bronwyn Mary Hayward, for services to political science, particularly sustainability, climate change and youth.

Vicki Anne Heikell, for services to heritage preservation and Māori.

Professor Shaun Cameron Hendy, for services to science.

Michele Rae Hine, for services to performing arts education.

Keith Luke Ingram, JP, for services to the fishing and maritime industry.

Dickson Stewart Jardine, for services to philanthropy and conservation.

Jillian Frances Jardine, for services to philanthropy and conservation.

Helen Susan Johnson, for services to Special Olympics and the community.

Rodney Whitiora Jones, for services to economics and public health research.

Samuel Edwin Isaac Judd, for services to the environment and sustainability education.

Glenda Ruth Keam, for services to music and music education.

James Edward Kebbell, for services to sustainable business and the community.

James Kelly, for services to the trade union movement.

Inspector Kieren William Kortegast, for services to New Zealand Police and the community.

Janet Lyn Lane, for services to tertiary education.

Josephina Henrica Maria Lelijveld, for services to the deaf community and education.

Keith James Locke, for services to human rights advocacy.

Donald William Mackenzie, for services to athletics and the community.

John McIntosh, for services to people with disabilities.

Dr Jann Medlicott, for services to philanthropy, the arts and radiology.

Melissa Potocka Moor, for services to athletics and charitable causes.

Christopher John Morrison, for services to sustainable business and Fair Trade.

Janice Mildred Murphy, for services to education and children with intellectual disabilities.

Katie Murray, QSM, for services to Māori and the community.

Dr James Wayne Ngata, for services to Māori and education.

Paul Gerard Norris, for services to the tourism industry and conservation.

Denise Alexandra Ritchie, for services to the prevention of sexual violence and exploitation.

Muipu La'avasa Sagaga, for services to boxing.

Serviceman M, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force, C/- New Zealand Defence Force.

Dr Gagrath Pradeep Singh, for services to health.

Pauline Kei Smith, for services to Pacific arts and the community.

Michael John Sutton, for services to education.

Moana Ngawaiata Tamaariki-Pohe, for services to Māori and conservation.

Dr Tasileta Teevale, for services to Pacific education and public health research.

William Trubridge, for services to freediving.

Reverend Tumama Vili, for services to the Pacific community.

Gary Lynnford Watts, for services to mental health.

Marion Wood, for services to sustainable business and the community.

To be Honorary Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

Professor Susan Pran Krumdieck, for services to sustainability research and engineering.

Emeritus Professor Yoshihiro Sakata, for services to New Zealand-Japan relations and rugby.

To be Companions of the Queen's Service Order:

Francis Anthony Fanning, for services to the community.

Jeffrey William Sanders, for services to social service governance.

The Queen's Service Medal QSM:

Gillian Mary Adshead, JP, for services to conservation.

Kevin John Adshead, for services to conservation.

Robin Boldarin, JP, for services to the community and school sports.

Michael Joseph Bourke, for services to wildlife conservation.

Daniel John Bowmar, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.

Yvonne Barbara Boyes, JP, for services to health, particularly nursing and cancer treatment.

William Sydney Clement Burdett, for services to the community and local government.

Carol Winifred Charman, for services to youth and people with intellectual disabilities.

Sau Man Chow, for services to immigrant communities.

Kerry Patrick Clarkin, JP, for services to agriculture and the community.

Lester Dean, for services to the Pacific community.

Michael Nevill Drake, for services to education and the community.

Paul Duffy, for services to the community and local government.

Dr Anna Thornton Dyzel, for services to the community and health.

Kathleen Mae Fenton, for services to the community.

Rowan Gray Edward Garrett, for services to brass bands.

Colin Franklin Gibbs, for services to agriculture and the community.

Peter John Goodbehere, for services to film.

Joseph Sydney Ronald Robert Hughes, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.

Grace Sarina Hutton, for services to Pacific art and the community.

Angela Deirdre Keenan, for services to sport, particularly netball.

Arohanui Haumihiata Lawrence, for services to Māori and sustainable food production.

Reverend Falkland Gary Fereti Liuvaie, for services to the Niue community.

Dr Judith Roberta Lowes, for services to women and roller sports.

Elizabeth Patricia Norton for services to the community.

Stuart Keith Paterson, for services to the community.

James George Powdrill, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Neil Lawrence Pugh, for services to the community.

Hokikau Kataraina Purcell, for services to seniors and Māori.

Lasalo Owen Purcell, for services to seniors and Māori.

Isobel Ransfield, for services to Māori.

Frances Joan Rawling, for services to heritage rose preservation.

Maxwell Thomas Robins, for services to healthcare and seniors.

Kevin Stechman, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Reverend Alison Jean Stewart, for services to choral music.

Marthalina Mii Taru, for services to netball and the Pacific community.

Bruce Herbert Thompson, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.

Julia Mary Truesdale, for services to netball and education.

Malia Nive Venning, for services to the Tokelau community and netball.

Theresia Selina Weir, for services to people with disabilities.

Janet Mary Wilson, for services to wildlife conservation.

The New Zealand Antarctic Medal NZAM:

Eugene Brian Fitzgerald, for services to Antarctic exploration and heritage.

The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration DSD:

Servicewoman D, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force.