Dr Boyes was among 14 New Zealanders involved in the arts, health, scientific and public sectors, including Sir Peter Jackson, honoured at the investiture ceremony.
He received the award for his services to outdoor recreation and mountain safety.
Among other things, he has been involved with outdoor recreation and education for more than 40 years and was the chairman of Education Outdoors New Zealand.
He is a life member of the executive board, and the chairman of Outdoor New Zealand and the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council's research committee.
He has worked as a senior lecturer in outdoor education at the School of Physical Education.
Sir Peter (right), New Zealand's first lord of film, who was invested as a knight, said he accepted the honour on behalf of "thousands of people".
It was wonderful New Zealand was honouring the arts industry, he said.
