Queen's Birthday Honours 2011: Dame Rosie Horton

Dame Rosie Horton's award was greeted with loud applause at the ceremony. Photo / Richard Robinson

DAME ROSIE HORTON, DNZM

Dame Rosie Horton says helping and giving to others was not a job for her, but a lifelong dream come true.

The wife of Auckland multimillionaire Michael Horton was invested as a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to philanthropy, at the Government House ceremony yesterday.

Well-known for her charitable work, she has devoted more than 40 years of her life to working with dozens of children's charities and groups helping the sick, disabled, animals, women's refuge, the environment and the performing arts.

Dame Rosie received loud applause as she was congratulated by the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand.

Speaking after the investiture ceremony, her voice trembling, she said: "It's very overwhelming. It's very humbling.

"You don't expect to be rewarded for something like this. It's been a life's work and I wouldn't change it for any circumstance in the world."

Dame Rosie's extensive philanthropic work has seen her chairing a number of groups and committees for various causes over the years.

She chairs the Friends of Starship, which helps the children's hospital in central Auckland, and has been vice-chairwoman of the Starship Foundation since 1991.

She is also a founding trustee and was chairwoman of the Breast Cancer Foundation from 1995 to 2005.

Yesterday, Dame Rosie said being in a position to help others - specifically children - was a privilege.

"It's been a lifelong dream to have a job that's fulfilled everything I've ever wanted to do - to help others and to meet people from all backgrounds.

"Every project has meant so much and just being able to do something for others who needed your help was wonderful.

"It's kept me from doing housework, too," she smiled.

Dame Rosie said she hoped her grandchildren would continue her work.

"I hope they learn from my example. I hope that they're always kind and considerate to people.

"And I hope they find it just as fulfilling as I have."