New Year Honours: Pinky gobsmacked

When Pinky Agnew heard of her Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit award she couldn't stop laughing.

"I was gobsmacked. I thought it was ludicrous," she said.

The 48-year-old's CV lists her as stage performer, radio commentator, comedian, impersonator, corporate entertainer and marriage celebrant.

Ms Agnew left her "serious job" in 1990 to become an entertainer. Today she has a high public profile thanks to her stage work, Hen's Teeth, The Power Breakfast and An Evening with Elvis-Anne.

But to thousands more she is known for her television impersonation of former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley.