Victoria staff, alumni and friends recognised in New Year Honours

Two leaders of Victoria University of Wellington—one past and one present—have been recognised, alongside other Victoria staff, alumni and friends, in the 2015 New Year Honours.

Victoria’s Chancellor Sir Neville Jordan CNZM received a Knighthood for services to business and science and the community, together with former Vice-Chancellor Emeritus Professor Pat Walsh, who was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to tertiary education.

Sir Neville, who has recently been elected as Chancellor, has a background in electronics engineering and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand. He founded MAS Technology Ltd in 1975, a telecommunications microwave company that he successfully listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Emeritus Professor Walsh was appointed as Victoria’s Vice-Chancellor in 2005. Before that, he rose through the academic ranks to become Professor of Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations, eventually taking on the roles of Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Commerce and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Guilford congratulated both Sir Neville and Emeritus Professor Walsh and the 17 other New Zealanders with connections to Victoria who were also recognised for their achievements in their fields.

In addition to those mentioned above the following Victoria University alumni have also been honoured:

The New Zealand Order of Merit

Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM):

Sir Ian Charles Athfield
For services to architecture
Sir Paul David Collins
For services to sports governance
Sir Neville Jordan
For services to business, science and the community

Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM):

Robert Laurence Cameron
For services to business
Theresa Gattung
For services to business and philanthropy
Christopher John David Moller
For services to business and sport
Beverley Jean Morris
For services to early childhood education
Emeritus Professor Patrick John Walsh
For services to tertiary education
Dr Warren Arthur Young
For services to the law

Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM):

Robyn Jane Baker
For services to education
Fleur Una Maude Beale
For services to literature
Annette Elizabeth Black
For services to legal education
John Murray Hunn
For services to business and philanthropy
Bryan Ewart Johnson
For services to business and philanthropy
Dr Monty Glyn Soutar
For services to Maori and historical research

Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM):

Rosemary Gordon
For services to legal education
Victoria Manning
For services to the deaf and disabled communities
Pele Walker
For services to the Pacific community

Hononary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM):

Michael Webster
Secretary and Registrar, The New Zealand Order of Merit

Queen’s Service Medal (QSM):

Klara Marta Szentirmay
For services to the Hungarian community