From youth mobilisation and community law to Māori health, engineering, education and disability advocacy, the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours highlight the breadth of contribution made by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) alumni in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
Among them is Sam Johnson, appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to the community and youth.
Johnson founded the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) while studying at UC, after the Christchurch earthquakes prompted an extraordinary student-led response. The movement mobilised more than 11,000 university students to support earthquake recovery and went on to become a nationally and internationally recognised model of volunteer action.
This year, as SVA celebrates 15 years, its legacy continues to grow. Under Johnson’s leadership, the organisation became a national volunteering movement working with secondary schools, universities and community partners across New Zealand and Australia. Its work has shown the power of youth-led service in times of crisis, including major disaster responses and the nationwide COVID-19 effort.
Johnson is one of 18 UC alumni named in this year’s honours, recognised across fields including community law, speech-language therapy, wastewater engineering, business, athletics, writing, music education and rural mental health. Together, they reflect the enduring impact of UC graduates through service, leadership and innovation.
UC alumni recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours 2026
Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM):
Jennifer Hughey – for services to community law and governance.
Sam Johnson – for services to the community and youth.
Garry Macdonald – for services to wastewater engineering.
Scott O'Donnell – for services to business.
Ann Smaill – for services to speech-language therapy.
Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM):
Barbara Beable – for services to athletics.
Dr Michael Beable – for services to athletics.
Daniel Buckingham – for services to people with disabilities and wheelchair rugby.
Irihapeti Bullmore – for services to seniors' health, particularly Māori.
Mervyn English – for services to governance and the community.
Vicky Lassen – for services to netball and Life Saving.
Bob Norrish – for services to education.
Joan Rosier-Jones – for services to writing and education.
Denise Torrey – for services to education.
UC alumni awarded King's Service Order (KSO):
Robyn Hunt, ONZM – for services to people with disabilities and the arts.
UC alumni awarded King's Service Medal (KSM):
Susan Breen – for services to gifted children education.
Alison Price – for services to music education.
Lindsay Wright – for services to rural communities and mental health.
The honours recognise UC graduates whose work has strengthened communities, advanced knowledge, championed equity and inspired others through sustained service and leadership.
From transforming disability access in the arts and developing culturally grounded healthcare for kaumātua, to mentoring generations of athletes, supporting rural wellbeing, shaping education and improving critical infrastructure, this year’s recipients represent an extraordinary range of contribution.
UC congratulates all graduates recognised in the King’s Honours 2026 and thanks them for the difference they continue to make in Aotearoa and around the world.
More details on the 2026 appointments can be found here.
