Multiple Olympic Gold medallist Lisa Carrington named a Dame in New Zealand’s New Year Honours list

183 New Zealanders have been named in the country’s New Year Honours with multiple Olympic Gold medal winning canoe racer Lisa Carrington and Paralympic swimmer Sophie Pascoe among the six people made Knights and Dames of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Recognising New Zealanders for their service in fields that include: arts and media, business, voluntary work, health, science and sport.

Carrington, New Zealand's most successful Olympian, has won six Olympic medals, five golds and a bronze, across a total of 23 medals in her canoe racing career.

Commenting on her award, New Zealand Minister of Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson, said Carrington is a remarkable athlete, noting "this honour is recognition of all her attributes and qualities.

"She is truly one of our greatest ever sportspeople."

Among other award recipients, Lou Sanson, the former Director General of the Department of Conservation, Lou Sanson, has been named a Companion of the Queen's Service Order.

Sanson worked as a public servant for 47 years including as conservator for Southland Conservancy and Chief Executive of Antarctica New Zealand.

Other sportspeople and administrators honoured include Dr Michèle Hawke who has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her almost 50-year commitment and service to gymnastics, Gaye Bryham has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for dedicating 30 years to sports science and recreation, and Beverley Douglas and Marilyn Moffatt have both been appointed Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).

Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

• Lisa Marie Carrington, for services to canoe racing

• Sophie Frances Pascoe for services to swimming.

Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

• Peter David Broughton (Rāwiri Paratene), for services to Māori, film and theatre

• Dr Michèle Margaret Hawke for services to gymnastics

• Professor Harlene Hayne for services to health and wellbeing

• John David Rosser for services to choral music

Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

• Gaye Maree Bryham for services to sport and recreation

• Bronwyn Elizabeth Hayward for services to people with disabilities and the arts

• Ross Mitchell-Anyon for services to the arts

• Celia Mary Patrick for services to tennis

• Jane Tehira for services to sport

• Laura Gail Thompson for services to Paralympic cycling

Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit:

• Beverley Grier Douglas for services to netball and the community

• Gillian Margaret Gordon for services to musical theatre

• Noel James Inglis Kay for services to surf lifesaving

• James Anderson McPhee for services to judo

• Marilyn Joan Moffatt for services to surf lifesaving

• Hans Rook for services to wildlife conservation

• Leicester Malcolm Rutledge for services to rugby and the community

• Rosalie Myrtle Martha Wrathall for services to golf

• William Richard Wright for services to conservation

• John Lawrence Cocking for services to theatre and the community

• Ina Mary Hansen for services to rugby and education

• Brenda Mary Hayes for services to theatre

• Nigel Ernest Perry for services to tennis and table tennis

Image: Lisa Carrington at the 2017 Halberg Awards. Credit: The Halberg Foundation.