Hon Clare Curran

Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media

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4 June 2018

MEDIA STATEMENT

Media and technology sectors honoured

Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Clare Curran has congratulated media and technology recipients of Queen’s Birthday Honours.

A number of people have been honoured for services to broadcasting, media technology, digital literacy and the software industry, including former Radio New Zealand chairman Richard Griffin who becomes a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting and the media industry.

“Mr Griffin was appointed to the Board of Radio New Zealand in 2010 and was chair from 2011 to 2018. He was a former RNZ political editor, a Life Member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery and was also Chief Press Secretary and Media Advisor to Prime Minister Jim Bolger from 1993 to 1998,” Clare Curran said.

“Also honoured is sports commentator Grant Nisbett who becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Mr Nisbett’s broadcasting career began in the 1960s and has gone on to cover rugby, cycling, boxing, bowls and cricket. For Sky TV he’s been the lead commentator for All Blacks tours throughout New Zealand and internationally.

“Rhonda Kite is to be an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to media technology, television and film. She pioneered the re-voicing of cartoons into te reo Maori and her company Kiwa Digital produces digital books featuring instant translation into several languages.

“Di Daniels becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to digital literacy education. She’s led initiatives to provide education and free computer hardware to thousands of families in low decile school areas since 2003.

“Also receiving an MNZM is technology entrepreneur Leanne Graham who is recognised internationally as a leader in her field of Software as a Service. She’s helped a wide range of software companies develop and grow to export success.

“I would like to congratulate all the recipients of these honours and thank them for their service to New Zealand and their sectors over the years,” Clare Curran said.

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