New Year Honours 2023 – The arts celebrate

One of our new wives almost never found out she was becoming one.

Dame Miranda Harcourt said: “It went to my wrong email address, so I never saw it but my husband called me and said I’m just sending something from your old email address”.

She describes her reaction as “laughing in disbelief”.

Dame Miranda is known for her services to screen and theater but it is teaching that she is most proud of, particularly her work in prisons.

“It really changed the course of the rest of my life and everything I’ve done since then, whether it’s working in Hollywood, whether it’s working in a school environment – everything along the way has involved and reflected on poetry. It arises from choice. Real people really talk.”

This actor, coach, producer, director and writer has been leading the acting in Toi Sports for many years.

People she has worked with have gone on to win BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Emmys and Academy Awards.

“I think the arts are becoming more and more recognized – as they should be – because the arts are a big part of New Zealand tourism, the arts are a big part of the way people around the world see and know New Zealand,” she said. said

Amidst the disbelief is the realization that this is an honor he will share with his mother, Dame Kate Harcourt.

She will not be told that her daughter was also laughed at to this day.

“I’m going to pull my computer down and say, ‘Would you be interested in listening to New Year’s Eve?’ And she’ll go, ‘Oh, yes’ – so I’ll read it to her and then she’ll be very surprised, and I think she’ll be happy.”

“I’m really looking forward to that moment because it’s going to be a very rewarding moment for her. She’s proud of me, and I’m proud of her, and it’s going to be a great moment for her to feel our mother. Do – daughter hot,” said Dame Miranda.

‘First and foremost, we were just trying to tell a story’

The arts, and the people behind them, are the main features of this year’s awards.

David Finn became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

“I thought, ‘Wait, who’s kidding?'” he joked.

But the letter expressing his pride was indeed true.

“I’m kind of shocked; I’m just freaked out. It still feels weird.”

Fan – an actor, writer, director and Pasifika champion – is being praised for his services to the performing arts.

He recalls a time when there were “very few” Pacific Islander faces in theater and television, their stories unremarkable.

“We started a group called Show Samoans because we want to engage more brown people in theater and tell our stories and from our point of view.

“So now when I watch TV, especially when there’s a lot of gray faces, every time I see a brown face on TV, I’m excited, I get a real ‘woo-woo’, it’s really amazing how much we Good job,” Fan said.

“I think what we were trying to do was, first and foremost, just tell a story.”

Fan has had diverse and memorable roles in film and television while providing a perspective on Pacific communities on stage and screen.

“When you’re working you never think, ‘Oh, I’m going to get something from the king,’ and here we are.”

“I’m grateful and I’m really proud. I’m really humbled.”

Finn says he can celebrate his pride with others at a small restaurant with a big dinner.

Just a ‘Wahoo!’ And be thankful that I am, I am very thankful.”

‘We cannot support each other’

“I was doing a gig a few weeks ago and there was a very drunk and incompetent guy in the audience who yelled at me,” comedian Michael Aucourt told 1 News.

“And I’m going in, you know what? I have a letter from the governor and the king said yes, so shush man.”

A’Court is also today appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to entertainment and comedy.

She initially thought the letter from the governor was a hoax.

“Did it want my password and credit card details?!”

A’Court has been an actress for more than three decades, but is also well known for her remarkable advocacy for women.

She says that advocacy is a “no-brainer” and something that brings her joy and fun.

“When I started in comedy, there were very few women and not only were there very few of us, we couldn’t work together because you can only have one woman in a comedy show,” she said. Otherwise, it was a special event.” said

“So we couldn’t see each other’s work, we couldn’t support each other on stage, we didn’t get to hang out in the green room.”

A’Court started the New Zealand Comedy Guild and pushed for access and safety to work in comedy.

Away from stage and screen she is an Auntie Patron and an ambassador for breast cancer treatment.

“I guess for people in the comedy industry to be recognized like this is a sign that we’ve really grown up and matured,” she said.

He says Covid-19 has shown starkly how important the industry is and the people in it.

“People like me have learned how important it is to work. It’s not just about having a job and making money, it’s about how it feeds us, feeds our soul.”

A’Court hopes her new glory doesn’t mean she’s reached her peak.

“It feels really exciting. I feel like I’m halfway there, I’m in my first round! I feel like I’ve got a lot to do.”

This sentiment is expressed by Dame Miranda.

“When you’re given that kind of honor, it’s really a game or a burning point to double down and work harder,” she said.

“This is not the time to sit back and go ‘I’m done’.”

Others are honored in the arts for 2023

Sir Haare Mahanga Te Wehinga Williams – For services to Māori, literature and education

Kura Te Rangi Moeahu, QSO – For services to Māori and the arts

Elizabeth Ann Caldwell, ONZM – For services to the Arts

Jeanine Rania Morrell-Gunn, ONZM – For services to Children’s Television and the community

Dr Jenna Annette Cole, MNZM – For services to Literature

Catherine Mary Cornish, MNZM – For services to the performing arts

Penelope Jane Jackson, MNZM – For services to art criminology research and the visual arts

Lakiloko Tepae Keakea, MNZM – For services to Tuvaluan Art

Marilyn Rhonda Kohlis, MNZM – For services to Pacific Arts and Education

Dr Alana Marisa Lupisi, MNZM – For services to the Arts

Dr Paul Alan Monder, MNZM – For services to the arts and to the community

Betty-Anne Maryrose Monga, MNZM – For services to Music

Rosanna Marie Raymond, MNZM – For services to Pacific Art

Charles Beswick Wilkinson, MNZM – For services to arts governance and to the community

Naomi Ruth Baker Winley, QSM – For services to Opera