Damien O’Connor Criticises Budget 2026 as ‘Miserable’ for Rural New Zealand
A miserable budget that didn’t deliver much for anyone.
The recipients have been honoured for services to agriculture, science, journalism, community, and women.
“I’m so pleased to see the recipients recognised for their contribution to rural communities, and Aotearoa New Zealand more widely,” O’Connor says.
Former Fonterra chairman John Monaghan has been appointed as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
“John Monaghan… has been influential in the dairy industry through his work with Fonterra since its formation in 2001, supporting the company to become one of New Zealand’s top performing international companies,” O’Connor says.
Lincoln University’s Professor John Hampton, who researches different approaches to the impact of climate change on seed production and quality, was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Also, an honouree is Reverend Louise Deans who has been named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).
“After revealing her own sexual abuse by a high-ranking priest, Reverend Louise Deans encouraged other women to come forward, and was instrumental in improving protocols for complaints of misconduct in the Anglican Church,” says O’Connor.
Deans was also a committee member of the Rural Women’s Stepping Out programme, and has advocated for farming women to pursue their careers.
“Bryan Hocken, appointed as a MNZM, has been a committed advocate for New Zealand farmers for more than 50 years.”
Hocken was President of Taranaki Federated Farmers from 2006 to 2008 and has been on Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Western Farmer Council since 2011.
“This year the service of New Zealanders is being recognised alongside the 70 years of service by the Queen, the Platinum Jubilee, for which the honours list was renamed.
“To all those honoured today, I thank you for your work and contribution to New Zealand’s rural communities,” O’Connor says.
List of Honours
- John Monaghan, Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the dairy industry
- Professor John Hampton, Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to agricultural science
- Hugh Stringleman, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to agricultural journalism
- Reverend Louise Deans, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community and women
- Anna Osborne, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community and occupational health and safety
- Sonya Rockhouse, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community and occupational health and safety
- Bryan Hocken, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to agriculture and the rural community
- Ken Rintoul, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to governance and the community
