Six Hawke's Bay people recognised in 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours list

Raymond Mettrick, of Havelock North, received a Queen's Birthday Honour for services to cricket. Photo / Warren Buckland

Six Hawke's Bay people have been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours, announced today.

They are Richard Jeffery, of Takapau, for services to governance and the community, former SPCA national president Bob Kerridge, retired from Auckland to Havelock North, for services to animal welfare and governance, Caren Rangi, of Napier, for services to the Pacific community and governance, and Des Ratima, of Whakatu, for services to Māori. All become Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).

Rochelle Martin, from Napier but now of Auckland, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to rugby and Fire and Emergency NZ (formerly the Fire Service).

Cricket camps stalwart Ray Mettrick, of Havelock North, has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal (QSM).

Nationally, the honours created five dames and three knights, including former Prime Minister Sir Bill English, and entertainment icons the Topp Twins, Dame Jules and Dame Lynda, who turned 60 last month, and singer Sir John Rowles, 50 years after the emergence of first hit If I Only Had Time, which had 18 weeks in the US singles charts in 1968 and reached No 3.

Others made Dame or Knight Commander of the New Zealand Order of Merit are Dame Catherine Healey, for services to the rights of sex workers, former MP Dame Winnie Laban, for services to education and the Pacific community, Dame Charmian O'Connor, for services to education and chemistry, and Sir Hekenukumai (Hector) Busby, for services to Māori.

More than 190 people have been recognised in the awards, part of the annual New Zealand Royal Honours system which also includes the New Year Honours.

Honours are approved by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. Until 1975 they were part of the British-based honours system, and in 1996 a review led to the establishment of the New Zealand Order of Merit, in place of the Order of the British Empire, which had been symbolised by such awards as the OBE and MBE.

Nominations may be made by any person, and all nominations are reviewed twice-yearly by the Prime Minister and a Cabinet committee, chosen recipients being asked if they will accept the honour, before recipients are announced.

Investitures are later conducted by the Governor-General, usually at Government House, Wellington.