Queen's Birthday Honours 2013: Choreographer one of three in family to make list

Deirdre Tarrant founded the dance company Footnote. Picture / APNZ

Deirdre Tarrant: Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to contemporary dance.

A leading choreographer who has been acknowledged in the Queen's Birthday Honours list is one of three generations in her family to receive the nod. Founder of the dance group Footnote, Deirdre Tarrant, is today made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to contemporary dance.

She founded Footnote in 1985 and the company has since toured internationally at events including the Frankfurt Book Fair, and has been recognised internationally as a world-class performing group.

Ms Tarrant, who was made made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2000, said it was lovely to receive the recognition, but felt the honour was more about Footnote and contemporary dance.

"I passionately believe in contemporary dance," she said.

Being honoured was starting to become a family tradition, with her father and son also making the list in previous years. Her son Bret McKenzie, of Flight of the Conchords fame, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music and film in last year's Queen's Birthday list, and her father was made an OBE for contributions to trade and industry.

"Three generations of the same family; I think that's something of a record."