Massey staff, athletes and alumni receive New Years honours

Twenty New Year Honours recipients have ties to Massey including current and former staff, graduates, student-athletes and three leading New Zealanders conferred with honorary doctorates.

Professor Vincent Neall of Massey’s Institute of Natural Resources has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his work in earth science.

Professor Neall has taught earth science at Massey since 1973 and is one of New Zealand’s leading experts on volcanoes.

Professor Emeritus Glynnis Cropp of Palmerston North was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for her services to research in the humanities.

Professor Cropp started as a French lecturer at Massey’s Manawatu campus in 1963, but during her career at the University she was involved in research, teaching and senior administration as head of the School of Languages and also Dean of the Faculty of Humanities.

Though she officially retired in 2001 she continued to teach French literature, language and European history until 2010.

Three of the New Year honours recipients have honorary doctorates from Massey; Dr Alan Bollard and Dr Turoa Royal were made companions of the Order of New Zealand (CNNZ) for services to the state and services to education, and Dr Philip Yates an ONZM for services to agribusiness.

Massey Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists Hamish Bond, Lisa Carrington, Olivia Powrie, Jo Aleh and Mary Fisher were made members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).

Massey alumni named in the honours list were: Dr John Craig of Whangerei, ONZM for services to conservation; Anthea Simcock of Hamilton, ONZM for services to child welfare; Beverley Chappell of Waikane, MNZM for services to senior citizens and the community; Dr Mary Dawson, MNZM for services to Girl Guides and the community; Inspector Mark Harrison of Palmerston North, MNZM for services to the New Zealand Police and the community; Kathleen Joblin of Whanganui, MNZM for services to health; and Lorna Sullivan of Tauranga, MNZM for services to people with disabilities.

Queens Service Medals were also awarded to Massey graduates David Blackwell of Christchurch for services to tennis, William Burrill of Auckland for services to regional parks and conservation and Gregory Makutu, who lives in New South Wales, for services to the Maori community and veterans.