The New Year Honours 2015 recognised contributions to New Zealand for services to arts, architecture, literature, Maori art, music and performing arts.

Mike Chunn (pictured) was among those recognised. He has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music and mental health awareness. 

He has worked with original songs all his life from his days with Split Enz and Citizen Band through Mushroom Records. He was Director of Operations for APRA for 11 years, until 2003 when he established Play It Strange Trust. 

Mike is also a contributor to The Big Idea, blogging Strange News from his world of young singer/songwriters in New Zealand along with his son Barney.

Here's a list of other creatives recognised in the New Year Honours 2015.

The New Zealand Order of Merit

DNZM
To be Dames Companion of the said Order:

Ellen Adrienne, Lady Stewart, ONZM, QSM, of Christchurch. For services to the arts and business.

KNZM
To be Knights Companion of the said Order:

Mr Ian Charles Athfield, CNZM, of Wellington. For services to architecture.

CNZM
To be Companions of the said Order:

Mr Michael Jonathan Chunn, ONZM, of Auckland. For services to music and mental health awareness.

ONZM
To be Officers of the said Order:

Ms Fleur Una Maude Beale, of Wellington. For services to literature.

Ms Lisa Harrow, of South Woodstock, United States of America. For services to the dramatic arts.

Mrs Colleen Elizabeth Urlich, JP, of Dargaville. For services to Maori art.

MNZM
To be Members of the said Order:

Mr Robert Henry Bickerton, of Nelson. For services to music.

Mr Simon Deng Li, of Auckland. For services to New Zealand-China relations and the arts.

Ms Avenal Beryl Elizabeth McKinnon, of Wellington. For services to the arts.

The Queen's Service Medal

QSM

Mrs Maria Elizabeth Caroline Collins, of Auckland. For services to the community and music.

Mr William Ross Duncan, of Whanganui. For services to pipe bands and the community.

Mrs Heather Mackness Gladstone, of Christchurch. For services to music.

Mrs Margaret Rose Knight, of Te Awamutu. For services to music and the community.

Mrs Alexandra Jocelyn Ann Midgley, of Christchurch. For services to the arts and the community.

Mr Alan Scott Watson, of Auckland. For services as a magician.

Miss Janice Diane Webb, of Auckland. For services to music.

Mr Jeremy Forbes Whimster, of Tauranga. For services to music.

Ms Coralie Diane Winn, of Christchurch. For services to the arts.

• See the full list of New Year Honours 2015, released on 31 December 2014.