List of grand and principal companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit

This is a complete list of those who were made knights or dames grand companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit from the date of the order's establishment in 1996 by Queen Elizabeth II, on 30 May 1996. Knights and dames grand cross use the post-nominal GNZM. From 2000 to 2009, the highest level of the order were principal companions (PCNZM) without the appellation of "sir" or "dame".

Dame Silvia Cartwright who was a Dame in 1989 and Sir Ivor Richardson who was knighted in 1986 chose not to convert their respective PCNZM to GNZM.

Knights and dames grand companion Image Name Date NotesThe Rt. Hon. Sir Bill Birch, 7 June 1999Minister of FinanceThe Rt. Hon. Dame Sian Elias, Chief JusticeSir Lloyd Geering, 27 March 2009PCNZM on 4 June 2001Sir Pat Goodman, PCNZM on 3 May 2002Sir Paul Callaghan, PCNZM on 31 December 2005Dame Malvina Major, PCNZM on 31 December 2007Sir Ngātata Love, PCNZM on 31 December 2008Sir Ray Avery, 31 December 2010Sir Murray Brennan, 31 December 2014The Rt. Hon. Sir John Key, 5 June 2017Prime MinisterSir Stephen Tindall, 31 December 2018 The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern, 5 June 2023Prime Minister

Principal companions Image Name Date Notes The Rt Revd Whakahuihui Vercoe, 5 June 2000 The Rt Hon Sir Ivor Richardson, 3 May 2002President of the Court of Appeal

Additional members Image Name Date NotesThe Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Hardie Boys, 26 September 1996Governor-GeneralThe Hon. Dame Silvia Cartwright, 20 March 2001Governor-GeneralThe Rt. Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand, 5 June 2006Governor-GeneralLieutenant-General The Rt. Hon. Sir Jerry Mateparae, 20 May 2011Governor-GeneralThe Rt. Hon. Dame Patsy Reddy, 27 June 2016Governor-GeneralThe Rt. Hon. Dame Helen Winkelmann, 4 March 2019Chief JusticeThe Rt. Hon. Dame Cindy Kiro, 9 August 2021Governor-General

References