Knighthoods to Fred Allen and Peter Leitch headline the sports people honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
90-year-old Allen played and captained in six rugby Tests between 1946 and 1949, then coached the All Blacks from 1966-1968, going unbeaten in 14 Tests.
He was known as "The Needle" for his no nonsense approach while coaching and gets the honour for his services to rugby.
Leitch, otherwise known as "The Mad Butcher", is knighted for his services to business and philanthropy, but is also known as one of the country's biggest rugby league supporters.
Two former rugby referees receive awards, Tom Doocey is made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit and Keith Lawrence is made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Long time softball administrator Bob Leveloff is now a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
