Breadth of Otago’s impact highlighted in King’s Birthday Honours

The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka is proudly celebrating more than 20 alumni and staff recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.

The Otago recipients span a wide range of fields – health, sport, medicine, business, community service and the arts – demonstrating the breadth of impact and contributions made across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)

Associate Professor Nicola Austin (MB ChB; DCH; Otago staff member), of Christchurch, for services to children’s health

An Otago graduate and current staff member, Associate Professor Austin is a leading paediatrician and clinical neonatologist who has substantially improved neonatal services, particularly in Christchurch.

Associate Professor Austin was Clinical Director of the Neonatal Unit in Christchurch Hospital, leading the Unit’s relocation to the Christchurch Women’s Hospital in 2005.

She was Clinical Director of Christchurch Women’s Hospital for 20 years. She was Canterbury District Health Board’s Chief of Child Health from 2007 to 2013, providing oversight of the neonatal service, general paediatrics, paediatric surgery and paediatric subspecialties.

She has been Chair of the New Zealand Child and Youth Clinical Networks (NZCYCN) since 2022, guiding national standards of care since 2010. She was Chair of the NZCYCN Newborn Clinical Network from 2013 to 2020, and committee member until 2022.

She was President of the Paediatric Society of New Zealand from 2019 to 2021, overseeing a renewed strategy based on equity and Te Tiriti.

She has been instrumental to the establishment and undertaking of clinical research in the Christchurch Women’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Since 2011, she has been Clinical Associate Professor in Paediatrics at the University of Otago Christchurch School of Medicine, and has published almost 100 peer-reviewed articles and co-supervised doctoral candidates.

Associate Professor Austin was a lead investigator for a preterm infants study, tracking the children’s development until 17 years of age.

Suzannah (Suzie) Bates (BPhEd), of Auckland, for services to cricket and basketball

An Otago graduate, Suzie Bates (Ngāi Tahu) debuted for the White Ferns in 2006 and is regarded as one of the greatest players in the team’s history, captaining the team from 2011 to 2018.

Miss Bates is New Zealand’s leading women’s run-scorer in One Day Internationals (ODI) with 5964 runs and Twenty20 Internationals (T20I) with 4717 runs, currently the most T20I runs by any woman. She has achieved 13 ODI centuries and one WT20I century. She was the first player to reach 1000 T20 World Cup runs in 2023 and became the most-capped woman in international cricket during 2024/2025, reaching 350 international appearances and counting.

Miss Bates has received numerous domestic and international awards, including ICC Women’s ODI and T20I Cricketer of the Year in 2013 and 2016, Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in 2015, and Player of the Tournament at the 2013 Women’s Cricket World Cup.

She also represented New Zealand in basketball at the Beijing 2008 Olympics with the Tall Ferns. She has played with the Christchurch Sirens in the Women’s National Basketball League and was Assistant Coach of the Otago Nuggets in 2021.

Miss Bates has been a Sport New Zealand ‘Balance is Better’ Champion since 2023, promoting positive youth sport environments. She supports leadership initiatives for teenage girls through cricket in Otago and has participated in the New Zealand Olympic Committee Schools Outreach Ambassador Programme since 2008.

Earle Kirton (BSc; BDS), of Upper Hutt, for services to rugby

An Otago graduate, Earle Kirton has been devoted to first-class rugby on and off the field, as a player, selector, coach, administrator, and mentor for more than 60 years.

Mr Kirton began his rugby career with the Upper Hutt and St Patrick’s Silverstream rugby clubs, before playing for Otago University, and New Zealand Universities between 1960 to 1970. He was only the second player to play 100 games for Otago in his time. He played 49 games for the All Blacks, including 13 tests.

Mr Kirton played and coached internationally with the London Harlequins, Middlesex, and the British Barbarians. He coached the Wellington Lions from 1986 to 1987, leading his side to an unbeaten NPC season in 1986, and losing only one game in 1987. He was instrumental in the establishment of the New Zealand Divisional Team, which selects teams from the second and third division to play internationally, aiming to ensure players were not disadvantaged due to location and could equally succeed when provided with the opportunity.

Mr Kirton was a coach and selector for various New Zealand Rugby teams between 1988 and 1995. From 1992 to 1995, he was the All Blacks assistant and back coach with Laurie Mains, with their All Blacks making the Rugby World Cup final in 1995.

Dr Yvonne LeFort (PGDipDigHeal), of Auckland, for services to breastfeeding medicine

An Otago graduate, Dr Yvonne LeFort has been a general practitioner for more than 35 years, and has pioneered and developed the practice of breastfeeding medicine in New Zealand.

Dr LeFort is Medical Director of Milford Breastfeeding Clinic in Auckland. She is internationally recognised as an authority in breastfeeding medicine and in the diagnosis and management of infant tongue-tie.

She co-founded the Breastfeeding Medicine Association of Aotearoa to promote evidence-based breastfeeding medical practice and co-founded the Breastfeeding Medicine Association of Aotearoa. She is a Fellow of, and served as Board member to, global organisation the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM).

Dr LeFort is the lead author of the Academy’s Position Statement on tongue-tie, which has influenced clinical practice internationally, as well as co-authoring several other ABM publications. She is a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and the Canadian College of Family Physicians.

She has held lectures and presentations extensively on breastfeeding education nationally and internationally. She provides mentorship for healthcare professionals and support for breastfeeding families at monthly community centre drop-in sessions. She has developed policy for Health Pathways on breastfeeding topics.

Dr LeFort has been a curriculum reviewer for the RNZCGP on paediatrics, is a professional advisor to La Leche League New Zealand and is a Board Member of the New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance.

Dr Colin Mantell (BMedSc; MB ChB), of Wānaka, for services to health education, obstetrics and gynaecology

An Otago graduate, Dr Colin Mantell (Ngāi Tahu) is a pioneering leader in Māori health, obstetrics and gynaecology.

Dr Mantell has published widely and became internationally recognised for his research in foetal physiology and neonatal medicine.

He was instrumental in founding and chairing the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme at the University of Auckland from 1977 to 2005, and later Vision 20:20, an initiative aimed at ensuring that 10 per cent of New Zealand’s health professionals were Māori or Pacific by 2020. Vision 20:20 has supported an increase of Māori and Pacific health professionals to a combined 13.8 per cent by 2024.

As Professor of Māori Health at University of Auckland, he helped establish Hikitia Te Ora – Certificate in Health Sciences, a foundation year to support Māori and Pacific students entering Health Sciences, and shaped the curriculum to create an environment where Māori and Pacific could thrive in the health workforce.

Over 60 years, Dr Mantell has directly contributed to a significant increase in Māori and Pacific doctors, and helped reduce health inequities by embedding cultural safety, support systems, and Indigenous-led pathways into medical education.

As a founding Board Member of Turuki Health Care since 2000, his leadership has been key in shaping healthcare delivery centred in te ao Māori, with a strong focus on whānau-centred care.

Scott O’Donnell (BCom), of Invercargill, for services to business

An Otago graduate, Scott O’Donnell is a businessman and philanthropist based in Invercargill, who has supported the city’s development for more than 30 years.

Mr O’Donnell is director of HW Richardson Group (HWR). From 2006 to 2015 he was HWR’s Managing Director, leading its expansion into petroleum, rural transport and waste sectors. He is currently supporting HWR’s development of green hydrogen, providing an alternative fuel for heavy vehicles. He helped HWR pioneer the first hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel truck in New Zealand, contributing to the decarbonisation of heavy vehicle transport. He developed HWR’s property portfolio, and was appointed CEO in 2016.

As Chair of Invercargill Central, Mr O’Donnell led a joint venture between HWR and Invercargill City Council on a $180 million redevelopment of the city centre. He has supported the development of tourist attractions in Invercargill, including the Classic Motorcycle Mecca, Toot Sweets, Bill Richardson Transport World and The Lodges at Transport World. He is Chairman of Blue Sky Pastures Limited. He has served on the Board of MotorSport New Zealand since 2016, and is a promoter of Invercargill’s George Begg Motorsport Festival.

Mr O’Donnell was also involved in the development of Hawthorndale Care Village, a dementia and elderly care facility.

Rodney Wong (BSc; DipSci), of Palmerston North, for services to business and community

An Otago graduate, Rodney Wong is a prominent businessman who has helped the establishment of significant facilities that benefit wildlife and the community.

Mr Wong co-founded the Wildbase Recovery Centre, securing funding and helping lead the development of the nationally significant native wildlife hospital and rehabilitation facility.

He was appointed Trustee to the Eastern and Central Community Trust Board in 2025. As a Trustee of the Palmerston North Hospital Foundation, he helped the funding and development of a children’s emergency room in the Accident and Emergency Department.

Mr Wong chaired the multi-denominational charitable social service agency, Manchester House. He was CEO of International Fine Foods for 10 years, and CEO, owner and Managing Director of Yoplait New Zealand. He chaired the New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research, leading the merger to form Plant and Food Research and served as Deputy Chair.

He is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and was a director on the National Science Challenge’s Centre for High-Value Nutrition. He is Chair of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust, where he was instrumental in promoting the history and contributions of Chinese New Zealanders.

Mr Wong’s involvement with Rotary since 1988 has included time as lower North Island District Governor and President of Awapuni Rotary Club.

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)

Emeritus Professor Peter Adams (MusB(Hons)), of Dunedin, for services to music and music education.

Emeritus Professor Gilbert Barbezat (DSc), of Dunedin, for services to gastroenterology.

Daniel Gerard Buckingham (CertFitMgt), of Auckland, for services to people with disabilities and wheelchair rugby.

Dr Luk Chin (MB ChB), of Cambridge, for services to health and harness racing.

Kendall Flutey (BCom; DipGrad(Endorsed); MEntr), of Christchurch, for services to business and financial literacy.

Dr Mark Fraundorfer (MB ChB), of Mount Maunganui, for services to health, particularly men's health.

Charles Robert Norrish (BA), of Rangiora, for services to education.

Michele Poole (BA(Hons)), of Dunedin, for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Professor Marc Shaw (BMedSc; MB ChB), of Hamilton, for services to travel health.

Trevor Spittle (BCom), of Christchurch, for services to athletics.

King’s Service Medal (KSM)

Amelia Bresanello (BEDTP), of Dunedin, for services to the community.

Hanny Naus PGCertHealSc(End), of Wellington, for services to seniors and rainbow communities.

Dr Shanthi Selvakumar (DipObst), of Auckland, for services to migrant and refugee communities.

Noel Walker (BCom), of Te Anau, for services to Scouts and the community.

Susan Walker (BA), of Te Anau, for services to Scouts and the community.