2025 New Year Honors: Celebrating Trailblazers Among Academics and Alumni

Distinguished Professor Harjinder Singh was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contributions to food science, while Professor Trisia Farrelly has been designated an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her efforts in ecology.

Distinguished Professor Harjinder Singh

Professor Singh has made exceptional contributions to the field of food science, particularly in protein chemistry related to food and food processing, for over three decades.

“I am profoundly grateful and honoured to receive the title of Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit,” he states.

“This accolade is not solely mine but symbolizes the combined dedication and ingenuity of numerous outstanding individuals at the Riddet Institute within my remarkable research group. This recognition motivates me and the team to persist in advancing science that tackles the shifting challenges of the food sector and society.”

Professor Singh’s extensive body of work has established him as the leading food scientist in Oceania, with over 500 publications, including his role on 15 editorial journal boards. He has successfully applied his scientific discoveries in commercial settings and achieved industrial results of substantial economic and societal significance.

The FerriPro innovation developed by Professor Singh offers affordable iron nutrition to developing countries, where iron deficiency is a serious issue. This technology has been commercialized through the partnership between the Nestlé-Riddet Institute, generating significant royalties for Massey University and the Riddet Institute, where he has been the Director since 2018.

The FerriPro technology stands as one of the largest licensing agreements in Massey’s annals, having received numerous accolades, including the esteemed Pickering Medal awarded to Professor Singh by the Royal Society Te Apārangi in 2024.

Professor Trisia Farrelly

Professor Trisia Farrelly was taken aback upon learning she was to be named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

“I felt truly privileged and a bit undeserving. You always assume that someone else deserves it more than you,” she mentions.

She has significantly contributed towards highlighting the social, economic, and ecological impacts of plastic pollution.

Professor Farrelly is a prominent independent scientific advocate in Aotearoa New Zealand among international organizations shaping global conventions, regulations, and policies concerning the health, biodiversity, socio-economic, and climate repercussions of plastic pollution.

In her various roles, including as coordinator of an international assembly of over 400 independent plastics scientists and as a participant in the United Nations Scientific Advisory Committee for Plastics, Professor Farrelly has played a crucial role in guiding future governance of the entire life cycle of plastics in both New Zealand and globally. Her research has influenced policy in the Pacific Islands and the United Nations Environment global plastic treaty initiative.

“I am extremely pleased this serves as an opportunity to bring attention to the issues I’ve been passionately advocating for, both in Aotearoa and on the international stage, for many years.”

Professor Farrelly is currently an Honorary Fellow at Massey, having recently commenced work at the Cawthorne Institute after 15 years at the university.

Distinguished Professor Wayne McIlwraith

Distinguished Professor Wayne McIlwraith, who was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Massey in 2023, has been recognized as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contributions to veterinary medicine and the equine sector. Professor McIlwraith was among the first graduates from Massey with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc).

“Everything began at Massey,” he states.

“While I have enjoyed a successful career in the United States with many unique opportunities, my education with the BVSc degree at Massey has laid the perfect groundwork for my profession – we were excellently trained scientifically and clinically with an outstanding faculty, and based on my experiences with various veterinary schools worldwide, the Massey veterinary degree is unmatched.”

Professor McIlwraith currently serves as part of the emeritus faculty at Colorado State University, in addition to being on the Board of the Massey Foundation.

Fourteen alumni and one former staff member were also included in the 2025 New Year Honours list:

Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM)

• Professor Emeritus Jillian Hooks (Bachelor of Business Studies 1990 and former staff member) for contributions to accountancy and education.

Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)

• Clare Hutchinson-De Ranitz (Bachelor of Arts 1991) for contributions to midwifery.
• Ms Heke-Turoa Huata (Bachelor of Education 2000) for contributions to Māori and education.
• Major General John Boswell, DSD, (Rtd.) (Master of Management 2009) for contributions to the New Zealand Defence Force.
• Kate Sylvester (Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts 1986) for contributions to the fashion sector.

Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)

• Dale Bailey (Master of Arts 1985) for contributions to education.
• Paula Baker (Bachelor of Agriculture Economics 1990) for contributions to health governance and community services.
• Dr Helen Snell (Doctor of Philosophy (Arts) 2011) for contributions to nursing and diabetes management.
• Sheryll Ofner (Master of Education Administration 2001) for contributions to education.
• Dr Hilary Smith (Former staff member) for contributions to linguistics and community services.

King’s Service Medal (KSM)

• Peter Hensman (Bachelor of Business Studies 1983) for contributions to cricket and community services.
• Rangimahora Reddy (Master of Business Studies 1996) for contributions to Māori health.
• Michael Buick (Postgraduate Diploma in Education 2008) for contributions to the performing arts, especially musical theatre.

New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD)

• Squadron Leader Paul Stockley (Postgraduate Diploma in Arts 2010) for contributions to the New Zealand Defence Force.