Seven Olympic athletes who won medals in August and New Zealand's three gold medallists at the Paralympics in September appear on the honours list.
Heading the sporting honours is Dave Currie, who led the New Zealand team in Beijing and has been in charge of the nation's Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams since 2000.
He is made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM).
Olympic gold medallists - board sailor Tom Ashley and shotputter Valerie Vili - are appointed Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM).
New Zealand's other golden athletes at the Beijing Olympics, double scullers Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, already had ONZM after their names following the Athens Games - as did fellow 2004 gold medallists Sarah Ulmer and Hamish Carter.
Mahe Drysdale, who collapsed from sickness and exhaustion after winning bronze in the single sculls at Beijing, is made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) - as are the bronze medal coxless pair of George Bridgewater and Nathan Twaddle and 1500m bronze medal athlete Nick Willis.
Cyclist Hayden Roulston, who took silver in individual pursuit and team bronze, completed his redemption from past misdemeanours by being appointed an MNZM.
Swimmer Sophie Pascoe, who won three gold medals and one silver at the Paralympics, was also appointed an MNZM along with fellow champions, swimmer Cameron Leslie and cyclist Paula Tesoriero.
Another New Zealander to dominate on the international sporting stage in 2008, Scott Dixon, is made an MNZM after his best season of motorsport - winning the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar Series in the United States.
Others from the world of medicine and science to be honoured include ear, nose and throat specialist Dr Ronald Goodey, who pioneered cochlear implants, and Prof Ron Jones, who was the government-appointed adviser to the Gisborne cancer inquiry - both made a CNZM.
Dr Robert Welch, who has led genetic engineering research at AgResearch, is appointed an ONZM.
Cinematographer Michael Seresin - whose credits include Midnight Express, Angela's Ashes and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and who established the Seresin Estate winery in Marlborough - is made an ONZM for services to film and the wine industries.
Actor, writer and director Oscar Kightley, who developed the 'Bro Town TV series and co-wrote and starred in Sione's Wedding, is appointed an MNZM.
Another Marlborough winemaker, Jane Hunter, is appointed a CNZM for services to viticulture, while the same honour goes to wine dynasty member Brian Corban for services to the community.
Former New Zealand anti-nuclear and anti-apartheid campaigner Mike Rann, now South Australia's premier, is made a CNZM.
Another New Zealander to achieve prominence overseas, London-based chef Peter Gordon, is appointed an ONZM.
Wellington's Fred Hamer, who retired this year after 53 years on the railways, is awarded a Queen's Service Medal.
He was the country's longest-serving steam train and diesel locomotive driver.
