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New Year Honours 2023

We spotted some familiar faces in the 2023 New Year Honours list. Congratulations to Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer CNZM, Jo Gibbs ONZM, Tuifa’asisina Maria Lafaele QSM, Debra Lampshire MNZM, Nicola Smith-Guerin ONZM and Dr Jane Skeen MNZM who were appointed to The New Zealand Order of Merit this year.

Professor Helen Danesh-Meyer() Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to ophthalmology. Helen has been the Sir William and Lady Stevenson Professor of Ophthalmology with the University of Auckland since 2008 and has been the Head of Academic Neuro-Ophthalmology and the Glaucoma Research Unit of the New Zealand Eye Centre.

Jo Gibbs() Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to public health. Jo was National Director of the COVID-19 Vaccine and Immunisation Programme, playing a key role in Aotearoa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tuifa’asisina Maria Lafaele() Honorary Queen’s Service Medal, for services to Pacific health. Maria’s background in health and Pacific governance roles has helped her promote and shape vaccination outcomes within Auckland’s Pacific community.

Debra Lampshire() Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to mental health. Debra has been a strong supporter of those accessing and working within community mental health services, progressing the development of psychosocial and patient-centred treatment.

Nicola Smith-Guerin() Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to anaesthesiology. Nicola has been pivotal in setting up the modern training programme for anaesthesia technology in Aotearoa.

Dr Jane Skeen() Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to children with cancer. Jane made an enormous contribution to Paediatric Oncology in Aotearoa and the Pacific from 1979 until her retirement in 2021.

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