The Black Caps' captain and coach have been acknowledged in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Brendon McCullum and Mike Hesson have been appointed Officers of The New Zealand Order of Merit.
They led the Black Caps to a Cricket World Cup Final for the first time at the recent tournament in Australia and New Zealand, and to an unprecedented five Test wins in the 2014/15 season.
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Brendon McCullum, a New Zealand Test captain since 2012, is the leading career scorer in Twenty20 International Cricket and the first and so far only player to have scored two Twenty20 International centuries and 2000 runs in T20 Internationals.
He hoped the accolades would be good for the game in New Zealand. "You try to make an impact on the sport while you have the opportunity, and to leave it in a better space than when you started."
"Hopefully, these honours show we're all moving in the right direction together - team, support staff, NZC and all New Zealanders who love the game."
Mike Hesson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Mike Hesson has been head coach of the Black Caps since 2012 and coached the team to the final of the Cricket World Cup earlier this year.
He said he hoped the honours would be seen as recognition for the entire New Zealand team, both on and off the field.
"We front the team from a coach and captain's perspective, but we wouldn't be here receiving this honour without a very good group of cricketers and really good support staff around us."
"I feel honoured, privileged and surprised."
At the top of this year's honours list is Sir Peter Gluckman, leading health researcher and Prime Minister's Chief Science Adviser, who has been added to the Order of New Zealand.
Three new Dames of the New Zealand Order of Merit have been appointed: Auckland City Missioner Diane Robertson, businesswoman and arts patron Bronwen Holdsworth, and Therese Walsh, who headed New Zealand's 2015 Cricket World Cup campaign.
The new knights are co-founder of the Maori Party Pita Sharples, businessman and philanthropist Peter Talley and a former representative to the United Nations, Jim McLay.
Campaigners honoured
Louise Nicholas Photo: Facebook
Louise Nicholas and Lesley Elliott have received the New Zealand Order of Merit in recognition of their campaigning work against violence.
Mrs Nicholas is appointed an Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the prevention of sexual violence.
Rape allegations made by Mrs Nicholas against former police officers and a Deputy Police Commissioner led to changes in the way police handle allegations of sexual violence.
She said she was so overwhelmed when she read the letter from the Governor-General that she sat down with her children and cried with happiness.
Lesley Elliott. Photo: Supplied
Mrs Elliot has been made a Member of The New Zealand Order of Merit for raising awareness of partner abuse among young people.
Her daughter Sophie Elliott was murdered by her former boyfriend Clayton Weatherston.
She said it was an emotional award for her because she would not be doing the work unless her daughter had died, but is humbled people think so highly of her work.
Philip Norman Photo: SUPPLIED
Co-writer of the Footrot Flats stage musical, Philip Norman, has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Mr Norman has spent more than 45 years as a freelance composer, author and musician, and been commissioned by numerous performing arts organisations.
Murray Dudfield Photo: SUPPLIED
Murray Dudfield has been appointed an Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the Fire Service.
Mr Dudfield served as the National Rural Fire Officer with the New Zealand Fire Commission since 1990 - until his retirement last year.
He has overseen many initiatives to improve the rural fire sector and helped develop United Nations guidelines and strategic actions for fire management.
He said one of his career highlights was the development of a state of the art fire warning system that can forecast seven days of fire behaviours in rural areas.
Gavin Ellis Photo: SUPPLIED
Gavin Ellis, a former editor of the New Zealand Herald, is one of only 34 people appointed this year as an Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit.
He has been a journalist for more than 40 years and played a pivotal role in bringing together print and broadcast media to fight for freedom of the press.
Now a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland, Mr Ellis is a strong believer that a free press is fundamental to a well-functioning democracy.
He said being appointed an Officer was a good cap for a 50 year career, and he was not finished yet. Mr Ellis is a media commentator for Radio New Zealand and said he will continue to raise his voice about issues affecting the media.
Marilyn and Elder Jenks. Photo: Supplied
A husband and wife have both been awarded The Queen's Service Medal for their services to the welfare of wild horses.
Marilyn and Elder Jenks have saved the lives of more than a thousand Kaimanawa heritage horses through establishing an organisation which musters and re-homes them.
It co-operates the New Zealand Army, the Department of Conservation and Animal Welfare groups to manage the numbers of wild horses.
Mr Jenks said they were a bit embarrassed about the award, but pleased that the Kaimanawa horses are being recognised.
