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In the beginning there was no New Zealand honours system at all. New Zealanders received British honours as British subjects. So the very local honours handed out this Queen’s Birthday weekend also recognise how far Aotearoa New Zealand has come since the colonial era.
The British honours system originated in medieval times when knights on steeds fought chivalrously for ladies. In rewarding service, loyalty and gallantry, the monarchy was moving away from gifting land and money to the favoured few towards offering orders of chivalry identified by insignia.
The modern system advanced with empire. From a small number of highly exclusive orders restricted to the aristocracy and high-ranking military, British subjects serving in the colonies began to receive honours in the 19th century.
“There was a big discussion and a hurried meeting, and they let me perform, but only because I’d come so far.’’ Thirty-seven other contestants had performed in the hall that day and the backing band, Les Thomas and the Countrymen, had already packed up. A smaller, three-piece band, agreed to back her. “I sang
Paper Roses [by Marie Osmond] and Connie Smith’s
Once a Day. They did all the judging in the preliminaries back then, and then there was an evening showcase. “And then holy smoke – I won it.’’ Riggir went on to become a household name, releasing her first album in 1980, the same year she was named New Zealand Entertainer of the Year, and performing on television shows like