Alumni achievements acknowledged in New Year Honours

Thirteen University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka alumni from a variety of fields have been recognised in this year’s New Year Honours list.

Vice-Chancellor Grant Robertson says the New Year Honours recipients highlight some of the remarkable work that our alumni do in a wide variety of fields, after leaving Otago.

"I am in awe of the incredible achievements of so many of our alumni, who are making such a huge difference in many fields," he says.

Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM)

Professor Dame Helen Danesh-Meyer did a double-take when she received an email that she had been made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours and made sure it wasn’t spam.

Dame Helen (MB ChB, 1991) is New Zealand’s pre-eminent authority and an internationally recognised leader in the clinical science of interactions between the brain and the eye. Since 2023, she has made further contributions on the international stage as President of the Neuro-ophthalmology Society of Australia, the first New Zealander to hold this post.

Dame Helen began her ophthalmology studies at Otago under Professor Tony Molteno and Associate Professor Gordon Sanderson (both deceased).

“They were both such inspiring and supportive professors that it was easy to choose to specialise in ophthalmology.”

She says she has always been fascinated by the complex interaction between the brain and the eyes.

Having gone to high school and university in the south she still considers herself a southerner and always supports the Highlanders when she can.

“Sight is so precious and when it is under threat, we realise how vital it is to our wellbeing,” Dame Helen says.

Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM)

Professor Sir Graham Le Gros says after being made a Knight Companion he has received an overwhelming number of congratulations from many colleagues, donors and supporters from around NZ.

The honour recognises Sir Graham’s leadership role in building the Malaghan Institute into New Zealand’s leading immunology research centre of more than 160 staff, who have developed novel immunotherapy approaches for the treatment of cancer, developed a New Zealand-based COVID-19 vaccine and made seminal discoveries on the working of the immune system.

Sir Graham says his passion for immunology began at Otago in 1980, where he completed the Diploma of Immunology course developed by former Professors Frank Griffin and Bruce Gibbons.

After a PhD in Immunology at Auckland University, supervised by Professor Jim Watson, Sir Graham gained extensive experience at European research centres.

Sir Graham and his wife, Professor Franca Ronchese, returned to NZ in 1994 to lead and establish an immunology programme at the Malaghan Institute based at the University of Otago, Wellington (UOW).

He acknowledges the support in the Institute’s immunology and cancer research programmes of former UOW Professors Tom O’Donnell, Linda Holloway and Associate Professor John Carter and Professors George Petersen ONZM FRSNZ, Pat Sullivan and Merv Smith from the Department of Biochemistry.

Of special mention is the highly productive 30-year collaboration all the Malaghan Institute scientists have enjoyed with Emeritus Professor Brett Delahunt ONZM KstJ FRSNZ.

In addition to the many research discoveries and clinical trials achieved by their immunology programmes, Sir Graham and Franca are also proud to have mentored three of Otago’s distinguished immunologists in Professors Roslyn Kemp and Sarah Hook and Associate Professor Joanna Kirman, who all studied at the Malaghan Institute.

“Over the years, Otago University leaders and scientists have been very supportive of the need for an independent medical research institute in New Zealand that can attract the additional funding and infrastructure required to translate the many exciting immunology science discoveries into therapeutic outcomes which benefit patients here in New Zealand,” Sir Graham says.

Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM)

Professor Beverley-Anne Lawton (MB ChB 1983), ONZM, of Wellington. For services to women's health.

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)

Five Otago alumni received an ONZM including Frances Harnett (BA(Hons), 1970) for services to people with disabilities, Lyn Lloyd (BHSc, 1979) for services to renal nutrition, Professor Roderick MacLeod, MNZM (former staff member) for services to palliative care, James Miller (BCom, 1988) for services to corporate governance, and Lorraine Moller (DipPhEd, 1975) for services to athletics.

Lyn Lloyd is pleased her work supporting people with kidney disease has been recognised in the New Year Honours and credits the huge support of her colleagues.

“Dietetics is a small profession and often under-recognised despite nutrition being central to kidney health- ability to slow progression, improve quality of life, and prevent recurrent kidney stones.”

Her husband Phil Lloyd completed his BSc at Otago, before studying engineering in Christchurch.

Both their daughters are Otago alumni. Dr Aimee Lloyd (BSc, 2008) is a Forensic Senior Scientist at PHF Science in Auckland, and Hannah Lloyd (BSc, 2013) is a Research Associate at the Bioeconomy Science Institute (formerly Plant & Food Research Group) in Hastings.

Lyn says she has worked closely with dietetic students throughout her career, valuing the mutual learning that comes from working with students.

She says she has always maintained a holistic approach to nutrition care.

“Nutrition advice should support health without unnecessary restriction, allowing food to enhance wellbeing and enjoyment of life.”

Member of the New Zealand order of Merit (MNZM)

Two Otago alumni received a MNZM, Deborah Fraser (PGCertHealSc(End) 2010, PGDipHealSc 2015) for services to mental health and youth and Alexandra (Sandy) Pasley (BSc, 1973) for services to education.

Companion of the King’s Service Medal (KSM)

Three Otago alumni were awarded the KSM, Elizabeth (Liz) Henry (BA/LLB, 2004) for services to the community and sport, Peter Maunder (DipSurv, 1967) for services to athletics and the Reverend Wayne Saunoa Moegagogo Toleafoa, JP (BTheol, 1984) for services to Pacific communities.

- Kōrero by Kerry Dohig, Communications Adviser Development and Alumni Relations Office.