02/06/2026
✨We congratulate the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours recipients across Aotearoa, recognising outstanding contributions to their communities and industries.
🎥We celebrate Dr Shuchi Kothari for her services to the screen industry — as a writer and producer and advocate for diverse voices, including her role championing Pan-Asian storytelling in Aotearoa.
🏉We acknowledge Dan Buckingham for his services to people with disabilities and wheelchair rugby. A former Wheel Black of 16 years, Dan has also played a significant role in the media sector first at Attitude Pictures and now as CE of Able, supporting accessibility across screen content.
🎬We also recognise Chloe Smith, CNZM, for services to the screen industry over a career spanning more than four decades. She has contributed to some of New Zealand’s most iconic productions, including The Piano, The Power of the Dog, and Sione’s Wedding.
These honours reflect the depth of talent, leadership and creativity that continues to shape Aotearoa’s screen and storytelling landscape. The team here at NZ On Air were truly thrilled to see this well-deserved recognition for three of our own. 💙