Congratulations to New Year’s Honours’ recipients
The Bar Association congratulates the legal professionals recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours for their contributions to law, justice, and the community. We also acknowledge the many Justices of the Peace honoured for their dedication to community service.
Dame Coral Shaw
Former chair of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, Dame Coral Shaw has been honoured for her services to public service, the judiciary and the community. Her judicial career includes pioneering initiatives such as fast-tracking family violence cases and introducing kaupapa Māori-based restorative justice. She served as a District Court Judge, Employment Court Judge, and later on the United Nations Dispute Tribunal.
Greg Barclay CNZM
Greg Barclay, a consultant and founding partner of Auckland firm Claymore Partners, has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sports governance. He is a former Chair of the International Cricket Council and previously led the New Zealand Cricket board.
Jack Hodder ONZM KC
Acknowledged for his significant impact on New Zealand law, Jack Hodder KC has contributed through advocacy in complex cases, legal scholarship, and policy development. His career spans roles as Law Commissioner, litigation partner at Chapman Tripp, and since 2015 as a barrister sole specialising in commercial, regulatory, and public law.
Stewart Germann ONZM
Recognised for advancing franchise law, Stewart Germann has contributed to this field for more than four decades, both nationally and internationally, as well as representing New Zealand on the World Franchise Council.
Peter Cullen MNZM
Honoured for services to law, governance and youth, Peter Cullen grew his employment law practice to become one of the New Zealand’s most respected employment law firms. He is a former Wellington Chamber of Commerce President, and long-time advocate for civic engagement through initiatives like the Strengthening Democracy Project which encourages youth participation in New Zealand’s democratic processes.
Rosemary Dixon MNZM
Senior Crown Counsel Rosemary Dixon was awarded an MNZM for her services to schools debating. She was a founder of the New Zealand Schools' Debating Council and the New Zealand Schools' Debating Championships in 1988. She came to the Law after a career as a secondary school teacher.
Roger Drummond MNZN
Gibson Sheat consultant Roger Drummond was recognised for services to rugby and Māori. He spent 33 years at Bell Gully and represented a number of iwi in Treaty claims, as well as helping to draft an agreement between Toi Māori Charitable Trust and Holland's Volkenkunde Museum to promote Māori art and culture to an international audience. He has chaired the New Zealand Universities Rugby Council for more than 30 years,
Professor Andrew Stockley MNZM
Well-known legal scholar and current honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham, Professor Stockley was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to schools debating. He founded the New Zealand Schools Debating Championships in 1988 as a university student.
Liz Henry KSM
Invercargill lawyer and Director of Mee and Henry Law, Liz Henry was awarded a King's Service Medal for her services to the community and sport. She is the founder and director of the Invercargill parkrun event, which encourages people to meet weekly to run or walk a course through Queens Park. She is also chair of Age Concern Southland.