Honoured this year

Golfer Bob Charles, 74, has been made a member of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ), restricted to 2 living New Zealanders, in the New Year Honours. Carterton-born Charles was the first left-hander to win one of golf’s major tournaments. He captured the 1963 British Open after a 36-hole playoff with Phil Rodgers. Charles finished his career with 66 victories and was a six-time winner on the US PGA Tour. He was knighted for services to golf in 1999 and has been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Amongst other titles awarded were for Michael Hill, jeweller and entrepreneur, who was made a knight companion of the Order of Merit. Hill said: “People make our business, it’s not me — it’s the 25 people in the organisation that make it.” Alison Holst was made dame companion of the Order of Merit for services to the food industry and Emeritus Professor Tamati Muturangi Reedy a knight, for services to education. See the full New Years Honours list here.