KEY POINTS:
Normally, the New Year Honours pass with little discussion or controversy. The system that replaced the traditional honours invites a subdued reaction, whatever the merit of those recognised and the value of their contribution to society. This year, however, the appointment of theologian Lloyd Geering to membership of the Order of New Zealand, this country's highest honour, invited comment. Not that there would have been much, or many voices raised in acclaim, in most Sunday sermons. Yet the honour represented a remarkable progression for Professor Geering, who, almost 40 years ago, became the only figure worldwide to have been tried for heresy in the past century by a mainstream Christian church.
The Presbyterian General Assembly acquitted him of doctrinal error and disturbing the peace of the church after a now scarcely believable two-day televised trial. This set the scene for a career challenging Christian orthodoxy. Professor Geering's life has been devoted to a search for accommodation in the clash between liberalism and religion, as the latter ebbs on the tide of history.
His critics in the church will view this honour as a liberal Government's recognition of his role in eroding absolutes and Christian values on issues such as homosexuality. They will also maintain he is irrelevant to mainstream Christian thought. There may be some substance in both views, particularly given the conservatism that led the Presbyterian Church recently to reject "Shortland Street culture" and ban from its leadership heterosexuals and homosexuals living in other than legitimate marriages.
But such criticism ignores Professor Geering's significance as one of the limited number of thinkers in this country who have been willing to lead public discourse. He has accomplished this through his writing and broadcasting. It is from this perspective that his contribution to society should, most aptly, be measured. As, indeed, should his membership of the Order, a plaudit restricted to 20 living New Zealanders.
The other recipient of that honour, potter Doreen Blumhardt, is far less controversial. But her naming would have particularly pleased those who believe the honours system should reward those who give large dollops of themselves to society. After working for 70 years as a ceramicist and art educator, she has contributed $1.5 million to the extension of the Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt. Next month, the fruits of that generosity will become the country's premier showcase for the decorative arts and design.
One of the better traits of the New Year Honours is that they have become quicker to recognise deeds. Thus Tay Wilson was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, supposedly the equivalent of a knighthood, soon after the end of his 20-plus years as an Olympic administrator. Local film-making's rich vein was also recognised through the same distinction for actor Sam Neill, while the Film Commission's Barrie Everard became a Companion of the Order of Merit. Director Vincent Ward emerged from the strife of filming River Queen as an Officer of the Order.
As always, much of the interest in the honours list lay in the search for familiar names. Some, like sevens rugby coach Gordon Tietjens, outgoing Consumers' Institute chief executive David Russell and former Black Ferns captain Farah Palmer, would have been known in virtually every household. But there were also those who were recognisable only in the communities they serve. They were not contentious, but no New Year Honours list would be complete without them.
* Clarification: Potter and ceramicist Doreen Blumhardt, ONZ, has bequeathed a total of $1.5 million to the Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt, not her art collection and $1.5 million as stated in earlier reports.
