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 edit

Name	Date	Notes
The Rt. Hon. Sir Bill Birch, GNZM PC (1934–)	7 June 1999	Minister of Finance
The Rt. Hon. Dame Sian Elias, GNZM PC (1949–)	7 June 1999	Chief Justice
Sir Lloyd Geering, ONZ GNZM CBE (1918–)	27 March 2009	^[1]
Sir Pat Goodman, GNZM CBE (1929–2017)		^[2]
Sir Paul Callaghan, GNZM (1947–2012)		^[3]
Dame Malvina Major, ONZ GNZM DBE 1943–		^[4]
Sir Ngātata Love, GNZM QSO (1937–2018)		^[5]
Sir Ray Avery, GNZM (1947–)	31 December 2010
Sir Murray Brennan, GNZM (1940–)	31 December 2014
The Rt. Hon. Sir John Key, GNZM AC (1961–)	5 June 2017	Prime Minister
Sir Stephen Tindall, GNZM (1951–)	31 December 2018
The Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern, GNZM (1980–)	5 June 2023	Prime Minister

Principal companions edit

Image	Name	Date	Notes
	The Rt Revd Whakahuihui Vercoe, PCNZM MBE (1928–2007)	5 June 2000
	The Rt Hon Sir Ivor Richardson, PCNZM PC (1930–2014)	3 May 2002	President of the Court of Appeal

Additional members edit

Name	Date	Notes
The Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Hardie Boys, GNZM GCMG QSO KStJ PC (1931–2023)	26 September 1996	Governor-General
The Hon. Dame Silvia Cartwright, ONZ PCNZM DBE QSO KStJ (1943–)	20 March 2001	Governor-General
The Rt. Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand, GNZM QSO KStJ (1944–)	5 June 2006	Governor-General
Lieutenant-General The Rt. Hon. Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM QSO KStJ (1954–)	20 May 2011	Governor-General
The Rt. Hon. Dame Patsy Reddy, GNZM CVO QSO DStJ (1954–)	27 June 2016	Governor-General
The Rt. Hon. Dame Helen Winkelmann, GNZM (1962–)	4 March 2019	Chief Justice
The Rt. Hon. Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM QSO DStJ (1958–)	9 August 2021	Governor-General

References edit

^ PCNZM on 4 June 2001
^ PCNZM on 3 May 2002
^ PCNZM on 31 December 2005
^ PCNZM on 31 December 2007
^ PCNZM on 31 December 2008

[1] PCNZM on 4 June 2001

[2] PCNZM on 3 May 2002

[3] PCNZM on 31 December 2005

[4] PCNZM on 31 December 2007

[5] PCNZM on 31 December 2008

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