New Year Honours: Rich Lister, politicians and ex-CEOs feature as Companions

New Companions of the Order of NZ (CNZM) include a low-profile Rich Lister, the capital markets kaumatua, one former and existing cabinet minister, two former chief exceutives and "Mr Rugby."

Tauranga property developer and RICH LIST member Paul Adams has forged a range of joint venture partnerships with Maori, including the old Dominion Musuem in Wellington, the Tikei Mall in Palmerston North and a hoiusing project in Porirua with Ngati Toa. He is also an active philanthropist.

Capital markets specialist Rob Cameron was at the centre of the Rogernomics reforms of the 1980s as head of investment banking at Fay, Richwhite and, more recently, led the task force that resulted in the Financial Markets Authority. He is a director of Kiwi expatriate organisation KEA, is involved with Special Olympics New Zealand and the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute.

Former Telecom chief executive (1999-2007) Theresa Gattung is now active in promoting New Zealand publishing, the Growth and Innovation Advisory Board and Telco Technology Services. She co-founded the successful My Food Bag business and has distinguished alumni awards from both Victoria and Waikato univerisities.

Doug Heffernan (TV3)

Recently retired Mighty River Power chief executive Doug Heffernan began his association with electricity industry 40 years ago, becoming chief executive of the Waitemata Electric Power Board in 1991, six years as chief executive of Power New Zealand and then Mighty River Power from 1998-2014.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully and former cabinet minister Tony Ryall are both recognised for their political careers.

Mr McCully has capped his with a successcful campaign to gain New Zealand a two-year term on the UN Security Council, while Mr Ryall retired this year after being a minister in government led by Dame Jenny Shipley and John Key.

Chris Moller headed successful bids for World Cups in rugby and cricket to be held here but has also distinguished himself in business. Before becoming chief executive of the Rugby Union,  he was deputy chief executive of Fonterra on its formation and spent 15 years in the dairy industry. He is chairman of the NZ Transport Agency, SkyCity Entertainment Group and Meridian Energy.