Former Massey professor promoted to Dame

Former Massey Professor Judy McGregor was made a Dame for services to human rights and health. Professor McGregor completed her Doctor of Philosphy (Business) at Massey in 1996. She held a range of roles while working at the university, including professor and head of the former Department of Communications and Journalism. She was previously appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004 for her services to journalism.

Professor McGregor left Massey to become the first Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner for the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, holding the position for two terms between 2003 and 2013. As Commissioner her report ‘Caring Counts’, based on undercover work in the aged care industry, had a significant impact and lead ultimately to a historic industry-wide settlement.

She has also worked with emerging national human rights institutions in Malaysia, Nepal, the Maldives, Jordan, and Palestine on developing human rights communications strategies, and on women’s rights. She was appointed Chair of the Waitematā District Health Board in 2018 and chairs the Health Workforce Advisory Board and the Mental Health and Addictions Assurance Group with the Ministry of Health.

Emeritus Professor Tony Parker was made an Officer of New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to industrial design. He was appointed as Professor of Industrial Design at Massey University in 2005. He then became Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Research for College of Creative Arts. He began his career at the Ministry of Works and Development, notably designing the executive desk chair used by former Prime Minister David Lange. Much of his career was spent designing security, animal management and fuel system products for Gallagher Industries. Emeritus Professor Parker’s work has been recognised internationally by prestigious design awards and invitations to judge in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.

Dr Daphne Rickson was also made an ONZM for services to music therapy. She achieved New Zealand’s first PhD in music therapy in 2010, through the New Zealand School of Music which was part of both Massey and Victoria universities. Dr Rickson was involved in the development of the Master of Music Therapy programme for Massey, which is now offered at the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University. Her work as an internationally recognised registered music therapist, researcher, lecturer, presenter, author, and journal editor has had a significant impact on the growth of the profession in New Zealand.

Former lecturer Dr Ian Stringer has also been made an ONZM for services to conservation. Dr Stringer taught invertebrate zoology at Massey between 1974 and 2002 before becoming a scientist specialising in terrestrial invertebrates with the Department of Conservation until his retirement in 2012.

While working at Massey, Dr Stringer contributed to the development of several key courses for the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Zoology. His research both at Massey and the Department of Conservation was largely based in the field, involving heading teams of professionals and volunteers that investigated endangered giant land snails and the iconic and critically endangered Mercury Islands tusked wētā. The research provided vital information for their effective protection and the tusked wētā were established on other islands where rats had been eradicated, almost certainly saving them from extinction.

Massey Alumni who are recipients of this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours:

Officers of the Order of New Zealand (ONZM)

• Beverley Pownall (Bachelor of Arts 1985, Diploma in Health Service Management 1994, Master of Philosophy (Social Sciences) 2000) for services to health, particularly breastfeeding.
• Pam Elgar (Bachelor of Business Studies 1998) for services to hockey and women.
• Wi Taepa (Postgraduate Diploma in Māori Visual Arts 2006, Master of Māori Visual Arts 2020) for services to Māori art, particularly ceramics.
• Lorraine Scanlon (Postgraduate Diploma in Social Services Supervision 2015) for services to Victim Support and the community.

Members of the Order of New Zealand (MNZM)

• Dr Robert Mills (Bachelor of Veterinary Science 1981, Master of Veterinary Medicine 2020) for services to wildlife conservation.
• Nick Atkins (Bachelor of Education 1984) for services to science and the community.
• Dr Jo Howse (Bachelor of Arts 1988, Master of Education Administration 1992) for services to education.
• Elizabeth Forgie (Diploma in Education Administration 1987) for services to education.
• Carol Berghan (Graduate Diploma Business Studies 2004) for services to Māori.
• Grace Prendergast (Bachelor of Business 2017, Master of Business Studies 2020) for services to rowing.

Queen’s Service Medal (QSM)

• Mervyn Huxford (Bachelor of Science 1972) for services to hockey and the community.
• Larry Morgan (Bachelor of Horticulture Science 1979, Postgraduate Diploma in Arts 2021) for services to canoe sports and viticulture.
• Pushpa Prasad (Bachelor of Arts 1993) for services to the community.
• Gabrielle-Sisifo Makisi (Master of Education Administration 2009) for services to Pacific communities and education.