University celebrates recipients of 2025 New Year Honours

Waikato is celebrating a bumper list of people associated with the University who were recognised in this year’s New Year Honours.

09 Jan 2025

With services to education, community, governance, legal issues, literature, sport and more recognised, there is much to be proud of – in particular, the naming of Sir John Gallagher as Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Read on for our full list.  

Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit 

Sir John Gallagher (opens in a new tab) has a long association with the University, serving for 25 years on the University Council, as Chancellor from 2003 to 2005, and receiving an Honorary Doctorate in 2008. He is also Patron of the University Foundation, Te Pou Taunaki. He has been honoured for his contributions as a community leader and philanthropist. 

Sir John Gallagher, pictured with his wife, Lady Glenice Gallagher

Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit 

Ian Foster (opens in a new tab) is an alumnus of the University and has been honoured for his services to rugby as a player for Waikato, player and coach for the Chiefs, and as Assistant Coach and Head Coach of the All Blacks. 

Emeritus Professor Jillian Hooks (opens in a new tab) is an alumna of the University and is recognised for her services to accountancy and education, as an academic and industry leader. 

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit 

Lee Wei-Hahn Murray (opens in a new tab) is an alumna and award-winning fiction writer recognised for services to literature. 

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit 

Linda Te Aho (opens in a new tab) is an Associate Professor (opens in a new tab) in Te Piringa Faculty of Law and has been recognised for her services to legal education and Māori legal issues. 

Linda Te Aho, Associate Professor in Te Piringa Faculty of Law

Paula Baker (opens in a new tab) is an alumna and Trustee and General Manager of the Braemar Charitable Trust, recognised for services to health governance and the community. 

Dr Ingrid Huygens (opens in a new tab) is an alumna and a community psychologist who co-founded ‘Tangata Tiriti – Treaty People’, an education programme on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, recognised for services to education and Māori. 

Duncan Matthews (opens in a new tab) is an alumnus and a founding member of Hamilton Pride and the Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa, honoured for services to rainbow communities. 

Recently retired staff member Emeritus Professor Asad Mohsin.

Emeritus Professor Asad Mohsin (opens in a new tab) is a recently retired staff member who served as Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Community Engagement following a distinguished academic career in hospitality and tourism management. He is recognised for his services to the Muslim community and education. 

Kirsten Patterson (opens in a new tab) is an alumna and Chief Executive of the Institute of Directors, recognised for services to governance and women. 

Dr Rachel Simon-Kumar (opens in a new tab) is a research associate of Te Ngira Institute for Population Research, recognised for her services to women’s studies, health research and ethnic communities. 

King’s Service Medal 

Reverend Marie Gilpin (opens in a new tab) is an alumna awarded for services to the community. 

Peter Priest (opens in a new tab) and Susan Priest (opens in a new tab) are alumni awarded for their joint service to Māori and Conservation. 

Craig Wells (opens in a new tab) is an alumnus awarded for services to business and the community. 

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