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Former Olympian Barbara Kendall, para-swimming coach Roly Crichton, squash star Joelle King, women's Warriors coach Luisa Avaiki, Team New Zealand skipper Glen Ashby, rising golfing star Lydia Ko and former Wellington Mayor Kerry Leigh Prendergast have all been recognised for services to their respective sports in the Queen's New Year Honours List 2019.

Prendergast (pictured) receives the highest honour - Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) for services to governance and the community, recognising her three terms as Mayor of Wellington and having Chaired Tourism NZ for seven years  She now chairs the Film Commission and the Conservation Authority and is a member of the Phoenix Football Club's Advisory Board.

Kendall was named a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit (CNZM) for her services to sport, while Crichton receives the Officers of the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM) award for services to Paralympic sport.

King, Avaiki, Ashby and Ko are recipients of the Members of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM) award.

Three-time Olympic medallist Kendall is regarded as one of New Zealand's most successful sportswomen, having competed in five Olympic Games (1992-2008), winning Gold (Barcelona 1992), Silver (Savannah 1996), and Bronze (Sydney 2000) competing in boardsailing.

Her gold in Barcelona was a special one, as it made her the first New Zealand woman to win an Olympic gold medal since Yvette Willia 40 years earlier.

She is now a member on the International Olympic Committee.

Crichton has been involved in five Paralympic Games, two as an athlete (1984 and 1988) and three as a coach (2008, 2012 and 2016).

A car accident as a teenager changed his life forever when a beach buggy he was in flipped which saw him bound to a wheelchair which led to some dark days.

However, he went onto have a successful career in and out of the pool, giving over 40 years of service and dedication to Paralympic sport, winning six medals in the water before helping New Zealand's most successful Paralympian Sophie Pascoe to nine gold medals and six silver.

Other New Zealander's in the leisure industry and related recognised in the Honour's list include:

Companions of the NZ Order of Merit (CNZM)
Jennifer Ward-Lealand - for services to theatre, film and television 

Officers of the NZ Order of Merit (ONZM)
Malcolm James Prentice Black - for services to the music industry 
Diane Lucas - for services to conservation 

Members of the NZ Order of Merit (MNZM)
Vaine Areora - for services to the Cook Islands community and sport 
Glenn Thomas Ashby - for services to sailing
Malcolm Cowie - for services to footbal
Rex Davy - for services to rugby and the community 
Barry Gardiner - for services to sport, particularly squash 
Rosalie Goldsworthy - for services to wildlife conservation 
Glen Green - for services to youth and sport 
Daphne Hull - for services to tourism and recreation 
Kitty Johnson - for services to outdoor recreation and support for people with Multiple Sclerosis 
Roberta Laraman - for services to tourism and heritage preservation 
Terry MacTavish - for services to theatre and education 
William Moran - for services to the State, sport and youth 
Georgina Salter - for services to netball 
Elisabeth Vaneveld - for services to arts management 

Queen's Service Medal (QSM)
Andrew Buglass - for services to outdoor recreation and conservation 
Gerard Bullimore - for services to the community and sport 
Rodney Eatwell - for services to the community and outdoor recreation (deceased - Her Majesty’s approval of this award took effect on 27th November 2018, prior to Eatwell's death) 
Colleen Grayling - for services to wildlife conservation 
Lindsay Kerr - for services to sport 
Donald Kirdy - for services to cycling 
Sheryl Law -  for services to hockey 
Gwen Lawson - for services to sports administration 

Related Articles

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2nd June 2015 - Therese Walsh made a Dame in Queen’s Birthday Honours

1st June 2015 - Cricket World Cup organisation recognised in Queen’s Birthday honours list

10th June 2013 - Industry figures recognised in Queen’s Birthday honours

1st January 2011 - New Zealand Footballers react to Honours

2nd December 2008 - Plans announced for new indoor arena in Wellington

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