Stepping forward for king’s honours

Steven Joyce, who was Minister of Transport from 2008-11, has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services as an MP.

Joyce, pictured above, was a senior minister in the fifth National government and was a list member of parliament from 2008-18.

He held various portfolios at the Beehive including economic development, infrastructure, regulatory reform, small business, finance, and tertiary education, skills and employment for five years. 

Joyce had ministerial responsibility for resolving some of New Zealand’s most difficult issues, such as Novopay, led the initial rollout of the ultrafast broadband network and created the concept of roads of national significance.

He became National’s spokesman for finance in opposition between 2017 and 2018 before stepping down from politics. 

Developer of Metropolitan Rentals

Richard Balcombe-Langridge has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to business.

He has contributed to the business and finance sector for more than 60 years as a leading figure in Auckland’s transport, hospitality and building industry.

Balcombe-Langridge took over Metropolitan Rentals, a specialist vehicle company founded by his father in the late 1950s, and then developed it into one of the country’s largest independent car, truck and rental businesses.

He has managed major redevelopment projects across Auckland, and has bought and renovated residential and commercial properties including warehousing and offices for transport, car dealers and small business owners. 

Balcombe-Langridge has contributed to the tourism and hospitality industry, including as the owner of the Surrey Hotel. Through his private vintage car museum, a unique collection among the largest in the southern hemisphere, he has supported community causes. 

‘Voice’ of Kiwi motorsport

Brian Kelly is now a MNZM for services to broadcasting, an industry he has worked in for 55 years.

He began his career in programming before becoming a sports journalist and broadcaster, and is known as the voice of motorsport in New Zealand.

Kelly has covered all major racing events since 1975 including the International Rally, V8 Supercars, the NZ Summer Series and Otago Rally for 30 years. 

He is a leading master of ceremonies, having hosted the Westpac Business Awards and the Motorsport NZ Awards, and has won many broadcasting industry awards nationally and internationally.

Kelly is past president of the Motorsport NZ Journalist Association, and volunteers as a tutor and mentor for the NZ School of Broadcasting.

Recognised for tourism work

Fergus Brown has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to tourism. He contributed to the development of the industry for more than 44 years until his retirement in 2024.

Brown was also CEO of Holiday Parks of NZ from 2003-24 and drove the installation of fast chargers for electric vehicles at holiday parks across the country.