Richie McCaw humbled by NZ's highest honour: 'I've never been comfortable with titles, it's not who I am'

Senior Journalist - crime and justice·NZ Herald·

30 Dec, 2015 06:07 PM4 mins to read

Richie McCaw posted his thanks in a video on his Facebook page. Photo / Facebook

• Richie McCaw appointed to the Order of New Zealand
• He posts humble message of thanks on Facebook
• FULL LIST OF HONOURS

Richie McCaw feels "extremely privileged" and humbled to have been appointed to the Order of New Zealand.

In a video message posted to his Facebook page, the former All Black captain said it was an incredible honour to "join the list of some truly great New Zealanders".

"I just see myself as an ordinary boy from Kurow who has been able to live a dream. The Order of New Zealand honour does not come with a title. I've never been comfortable with titles, it's not who I am.

"I am however extremely privileged to join the distinguished company of men and women who have been awarded the Order of New Zealand. I hope I can live up to their incredibly high standard of service to their country."

McCaw is the only appointment to the Order of New Zealand in the New Year Honours.

The award falls on his 35th birthday. He is the youngest New Zealander to be appointed to the Order and joins an elite list that includes former Prime Ministers Jim Bolger, Mike Moore and Helen Clark, sportsmen Sir Murray Halberg and Sir Bob Charles, opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and architect Sir Miles Warren.

Listen to John Minto on why the honours system should be ditched

The Order of New Zealand is the country's highest honour and ordinary membership is limited to 20 living persons at any time.

New Zealand has two new Dames Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit - film director Dame Jane Campion and civil servant Dame Paula Rebstock - and two Knights Companion of the said order - Supreme Court Judge the Honourable Sir Terrence Arnold and champion competitive shearer Sir David Fagan.

McCaw has been honoured for services to New Zealand. He previously reportedly turned down a knighthood, but after captaining the All Blacks to a consecutive World Cup victory this year, McCaw agreed to being included on the 2016 list.

A number of other All Blacks and rugby management have also been honoured.

Dan Carter and mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka have been made officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Ma'a Nonu, Keven Mealamu, Conrad Smith and Tony Woodcock, All Blacks forwards coach Mike Cron and former team doctor John Mayhew were made members of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

"As he always says, it's not about him it's about the team," said New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew. "Richie is very humbled as you'd expect and I think he took a long time to consider ... because as he always says it's not about him it's about the team. But I think he recognises that this is something that reflects an area that he's been an important part of.

"I think he's very proud and delighted."

Mr Tew said the honour was monumental for "someone so young and tender of age".

"What he wants to do now is return back to being a normal New Zealander, which is not going to be easy."

"This is an appropriate way of recognising him," Mr Tew said, as opposed to a knighthood.

"He fits in the top 20 bill but he can continue to be Richard to his mother, and Richie to us. We're just really pleased."

Mr Tew was "delighted" with the other rugby honours, but it was McCaw's day. "Obviously it's been a big year for us and while we don't like to single people out I think it is worth a mention of Richie's honour.

"I think the rest of New Zealand will join me in congratulating him."

NZ Rugby chairman Brent Impey said McCaw's latest accolade was "fantastic", and the now-retired, most-capped test rugby player of all time "had rightly earned himself a place as one of New Zealand's most respected people".

"He's the embodiment of our vision for rugby to be a sport that unifies and inspires people. He has been an inspirational leader and an outstanding New Zealander. We congratulate him on this fantastic recognition."

A total of 178 Kiwis are on today's honours list, representing all sectors of society - business, the arts, charity, entertainment, law enforcement, the judiciary, sport, culture, tourism, education, community, journalism, and agriculture and farming. Of those 69 are women and 109 are men.