Three people who have devoted their lives to justice and fairness are among those honoured in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours.
Heughan 'Hugh' Rennie. Photo: SNPA / The Press, Stacey Squires
Heughan Rennie
From ballet to the courtroom, Heughan Rennie has enjoyed a distinguished and diverse career.
He has spent his career fighting for justice and the Queen's Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours List has delivered its verdict on his life's work.
He has been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to governance, the law, business and the community.
Sir Heughan said he was honoured by the accolade and has had a great deal of fun across a range of careers in the community, arts, law, and on company boards.
"It is undoubtedly a great honour but on the other hand you are always aware of people you'd like to see there who also should make it."
Unfortunately, the man who nominated him passed away before he could see him honoured.
Sir Heughan has been a leading Queen's Counsel since 1995 and has worked with major companies and government agencies since the late 1960s.
His pro bono and community work has covered the arts, science and sport, including a stint as chairman of the Royal NZ Ballet.
He said he has always worked with the philosophy that if you have a skill that can help someone, you are obligated to do so.
"I am a bit old-fashioned and have always taken the view that if someone had a court case that needed to be heard, I made sure it got heard and sometimes they could pay me, sometimes they couldn't but I was interested in having just outcomes."
Reverend Louise Deans
Reverend Louise Deans helped expose sexual abuse in the Anglican Church and her lifetime of work protecting women has been recognised with her inclusion on the honours list. She has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Reverend Louise Deans. Photo: Supplied / Royal Commission of Inquiry
Deans said she takes great pride knowing she played a role in helping create a culture where women are more comfortable speaking out.
"It had always been so taboo, something kept secret and it was the destroyer of so many people. I thought this isn't fair, the church should be taking a lead on this, not lagging behind."
Her book, Whistle Blower: Abuse of Power in the Church - a New Zealand Story, has become compulsory reading for any minister training at St John's Theological College.
She has been recognised for services to the community and women.
Deans initially deleted the email informing her of the honour as she believed it was a scam.
"They rang me a few weeks later and I just feel so honoured to be put in that category of New Zealanders, I was astonished."
Deans has been an ordained Anglican priest for 33 years.
She was elected a member of Selwyn District Council in 1989 and has advocated for rural women to pursue their careers.
However, she considers her work exposing sexual abuse her most important.
"I'm very pleased people are now aware it is an issue and can be catastrophic for women in the church, I just hope I've changed the world a little."
Judge Andrew Becroft
A life dedicated to helping vulnerable children earned Judge Andrew Becroft his spot on the Honours List.
Judge Andrew Becroft. Photo: supplied
Becroft has been made a companion the Queen's Service Order for services to the judiciary, children and youth.
He said it has been a privilege working to improve the lives of Aotearoa's most vulnerable members.
Among his many accomplishments Judge Becroft served as children's commissioner from 2016 to 2021 and co-founded the Māngere Community Law Centre.
Becroft said there are a minority of New Zealand children doing it tough and they need to be made the priority.
"While most children in New Zealand do very well, we have 10 percent or about 100,000 doing it tough and those are the ones who occupy too much time in court, the health system and disengaged from education."
He said it has been humbling to interact with New Zealanders of all backgrounds and make a difference for those who are struggling.
Becroft said the honour is also a recognition of the fantastic team he worked with at the commissioner's office.
"It really boxed above its weight."
