They were recognised for contributions to the judiciary, law and public service
The 2026 New Year Honours List has recognised four members of the legal profession for contributions to the judiciary, law and public service.
Te Awamutu’s Coral May Shaw became a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to public service, the judiciary and the community. The former West Auckland District Court judge was the first woman to be appointed to the Employment Court bench.
She has spearheaded reviews of the Human Rights Commission and Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Over 2019-2024, she chaired the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions.
As District Court judge, Shaw debuted a fast-track system for family violence cases, launched the WAVES Trust for victim and offender services, and pioneered judicial education programmes. She incorporated a kaupapa Māori-based restorative justice programme into the District Court’s sentencing process.
She was also on the United Nations Dispute Tribunal as a judge from 2009 to 2016. She has worked in prisoner rehabilitation, services to seniors, marae based and local community services, and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Former Chapman Tripp board chair Jack Hodder became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the law. He served as Law Commissioner from 1986 to 1991.
He contributed significantly to the Companies Act 1993 and the Arbitration Act 1996. He also joined the government’s advisory group offering recommendations on the replacement of the Privy Council with the Supreme Court. He took silk in 2008 and joined the independent bar in 2015 after leading Chapman Tripp for six years.
The sole lawyer qualified as a certified franchise executive, Stewart Germann became an ONZM for services to franchise law.
He has developed franchise law in New Zealand for over four decades. He once chaired the Franchise Association of New Zealand (FANZ) and penned the organisation’s original rules and Code of Practice.
Germann sits on FANZ’s panel of mediators and is part of the International Franchise Association. He was New Zealand’s representative to the World Franchise Council and the International Council of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators.
He was governor of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries and was a notary public. He was once president of the Auckland Rotary Club and was involved with the Stroke Foundation of New Zealand, Cognition Education Trust, and the New Zealand Middle East Business Council.
Cullen the Employment Law Firm founder Peter Cullen became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to law, governance and youth.
He was the first and remains the current chair of the Wellington District Law Society’s employment law committee. He presided over the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce for three terms.
Cullen was Honorary Consul for Colombia from 2013 to 2023. He was chair of the Home of Compassion board and a director of Wellington Museums Trust (2007-2011).
At present, he is a Commerce Building Ltd director, Wellington Rotary Club member, and Probus Club of Wellington Central member. He also manages funding for the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In 2022, Cullen launched the Strengthening Democracy Project with secondary schools in Wellington to encourage youth participation in New Zealand’s democratic processes. He also conducted Cullen Breakfasts and has sponsored the attendance of secondary school students.
Gibson Sheat consultant Roger Drummond became an MNZM for services to rugby and Māori. He acted for iwi in Treaty claims and assisted in drafting an agreement between Toi Māori Charitable Trust and Holland's Volkenkunde Museum to promote Māori art and culture.
Claymore Partners founding partner Greg Barclay was named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sports governance. Senior Crown Counsel Rosemary Dixon became an MNZM for services to schools debating.
Legal scholar and University of Birmingham honorary professor Andrew Stockley became an MNZM for services to schools debating. Mee and Henry Law director Liz Henry was awarded a King’s Service Medal for services to the community and sport.
