Queen honours Indian in N Zealand

Judge A Satyanand has been made Additional Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Judge Anand Satyanand, the former ombudsman who is set to take over as Governor-General of New Zealand in August, has been made an Additional Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II in her 2006 birthday honours list.

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The honour is a rank up from the Distinguished Companion honour that was conferred on him last year.

This is the second highest honour in New Zealand's rankings list and the highest honour for a New Zealander this year.

However, Satyanand, a son of Indo-Fijian parents, sought to underplay this honour, saying, "This new honour is really with a view to being equipped and prepared to undertake the new role as governor-general and it will also enable me to undertake investitures."

The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of chivalry established in 1996 by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in order of seniority.

The Order was established "for those persons who in any field of endeavour have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits".

The new Order was established after the discontinuation of titles like knighthoods and damehoods.

This year 200 New Zealanders have been bestowed with accolades for public and community service by the Queen.