Lia Tuffield thought she was the target of an April Fool's Day prank when she received notification that she was to become a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Mrs Tuffield, who is receiving the honour for services to special education, said she was humbled to be selected.
"A lot of the credit for my work has to go to the amazing people I have worked with and my family for their unrelenting support."
A teacher at Rutherford Junior High, Mrs Tuffield has worked for more than 41 years in the education sector.
After working as a principal for 15 years, and an assistant and deputy principal for six years at Maxwell, Keith St and Waverley schools, she began working at Arahunga Special School.