Sir Tipene O'Regan was also named Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2022. Photo / Supplied
Sir Tipene O'Regan says he thought "an old chap" like himself was off people's radar by now.
But the 83-year-old was today appointed to the Order of New Zealand – the highest accolade in this country's honours system.
One of New Zealand's most respected and admired kaumatua, O'Regan has dedicated his life to building a bicultural nation.
O'Regan was pivotal in bringing about the 1997 Ngai Tahu Deed of Settlement and the subsequent Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998.
These laid the foundations for a tribal asset portfolio that currently stands in excess of $1.8 billion and set a number of benchmarks for the historical Treaty claims process.
He helped negotiate and shape legislative responses to Māori interests in fisheries, both commercial and non-commercial and was the founding chair of Te Ohu Kaimoana (Treaty of Waitangi Fisheries Commission).
Sir Tipene was the founding assistant vice-chancellor (Māori) at the University of Canterbury until 2011.
He was deputy chair of Transit New Zealand from 2000 to 2006, and a member of the New Zealand Geographic Board from 1985 to 2013, making a significant contribution to its bi-cultural evolution and publications.
Named Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year earlier this year, O'Regan said being recognised in the list came as a shock.
He plans to celebrate with his family, surrounded by his 13 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
O'Regan, together with fellow Order of New Zealand appointee Dame Silvia Cartwright, leads this year's 187-strong honour list, which also includes three new Dames (Ruth Aitken, Judge Carolyn Henwood and Judith McGregor) and three new Knights (Patrick Hohepa, Hugh Rennie, Collin Tukuitonga).
White Ferns victory tour heads to Havelock North on Wednesday.