A couple kiss as fireworks light the sky during New Year celebrations in Sarajevo January 1, 2012.
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New Zealand's New Year honours for eminent public personalities have been declared. Those honoured include Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully, former MP Tony Ryall, winemaker Joseph Babich and former Telecom Chief Executive Theresa Gattung. They have been honoured as companions of the order. McCully is an MP since 1987, and won East Coast Bays from Gary Knapp and has been minister in both the Jim Bolger- and John Key-led national governments.

One most notable name is that of former Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia, who has been honoured with a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, reported TV. Nz.

Maori Honour

Dame Turia, 70, was a prominent Maori politician and quit active politics after the General elections in September. She served 16 years in Parliament. Starting off as a Labour MP in 1996, Turia left the party in 2004 on the issue of foreshore and seabed legislation and formed the Maori Party along with co-leader Pita Sharples. Later, her party became a long-term ally of the John Key-led national government. Turia is famous for the Whanau Ora policy on social justice with focus on families rather than individuals, reported Stuff. Co. Nz Before entering politics, Turia was chief executive of Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority.

Auckland City FC captain Ivan Vicelich was nominated for the New Zealand Order of Merit services to football. It caps a great year for the former All White, who was adjudged third-best player at the recent FIFA Club World Cup. Professor Murray Brennan has been made a Knight Grand Companion of the Order for services to medicine. Among the awardees, Brennan is a renowned cancer specialist and treats patients with soft tissue sarcomas and pancreatic cancer. The Auckland native obtained his medical degree from the University of Otago before moving to the U.S. to pursue his career.

Wine Icon

In the wine industry, Babich is credited with modernising New Zealand's wine industry as the managing director of Babich Wines. He is also a respected figure as a wine judge and has been a chairman of the board of judges of the New Zealand Wine Awards many times.