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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
Arise, Sir Scott: Kiwi IndyCar great headlines sporting NZ honours
Sport Nation • December 31st, 2025 5:00 am
Scott Dixon | Photo: Photosport
One of the greats of New Zealand sport has received the ultimate recognition in the New Year Honours list for 2026.
Scott Dixon has been made a Knight of New Zealand Order of Merit for his achievements in motorsport, having forged his place as one the greatest and most decorated IndyCar drivers in history
The 45-year-old Aucklander boasts six IndyCar drivers championship titles, one shy of all-time leader AJ Foyt.
His 59 race wins are the most among active IndyCar drivers, ranking him second all-time in series history, including the prestigious Indy500 back in 2008.
A two-time Halberg Award winner, Dixon was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in March 2024.
Off the track, he's also been an active supporter of charities in New Zealand and internationally, particularly fundraising for children’s charities, working as an ambassador for CanTeen, St Jude and Teen Cancer America.
IndyCar hopeful Liam Sceats on the influence of Scott Dixon on his career | Scotty & Izzy
Also acknowledged in the realm of petrolhead is Tony Quinn, who has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to motorsport and the community.
Quinn revolutionised the motorsport sector in NZ with the creation of the world-class Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell, which he followed with the acquisition and upgrade of the Hampton Downs Motorsport Track and the Taupō International Motorsport Park.
He was instrumental in securing the Australian Supercars Championship's return to New Zealand in 2024, with a three-year deal at Taupō.
In 2021, he established the Tony Quinn Foundation and Hampton Downs New Zealand Racing Academy, nurturing young talent to succeed on the world stage, with Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson being the first to benefit from the foundation.
Eroni Clarke singing the national anthem at Eden Park | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
In other sporting related honours, former All Black Eroni Clarke has been named a member of the NZ order of Merit for his services to rugby and the Pasifika community.
The former Blues and Auckland stalwart helped establish The Village Community Services Trust for marginalised Pacific and Māori youth.
The first Pasifika Engagement Manager at New Zealand Rugby, he was influential in the delivery of Engaging Pasifika, the inaugural government-mandated cultural competency training programme for health workers, and Le Tautua, the national Pacific mental health leadership programme.
Former Blackcap Martin Guptill is being recognised for his services to cricket by being named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Through almost 20 years and 367 international matches, the masterblaster forged a reputation as one of the world's premier limited–overs batters.
Martin Guptill celebrates his double-century at the 2015 World Cup | Photo: Photosport
Representing New Zealand at 11 ICC World Cup events, Guptill holds the New Zealand record for T20 runs (3,531).
He's also the only Kiwi to score an ODI double-century, pulverising the West Indies attack during the 2015 World Cup to the tune of 237no at Wellington's Sky Stadium.
Named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for service to sports administration and governance is Greg Barclay.
Barclay has held a number of influential cricket-related roles, operating as chair of the NZ Cricket board in 2016, and was later appointed chair of the ICC Board of Directors.
Olympian Rod Dixon has been an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to athletics.
Dixon represented New Zealand at four Olympics Games in middle and long-distance endurance events.
At Munich 1972, Dixon achieved a bronze medal in the 1,500m, followed by fourth-place finishes in the 5,000m at the Montreal 1976 and the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch.
Rod Dixon in action at the 1972 Olympics in Munich | Photo: Photosport
He achieved a landmark victory at the 1983 New York City Marathon and remains the only athlete in history to have medalled in the Olympic 1,500m and won the iconic long-distance race.
He later founded KiDSMARATHON Foundation, an educational running and nutrition programme that has been implemented in schools nationally and internationally, and became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, promoting child rights and welfare on a global scale.
Also recognised for services to athletics is Lorraine Moller, who was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Moller competed internationally from 1973 to 1996 as a track, cross-country and marathon runner while advocating for women’s equity and professionalism in sport.
Moller was the world’s top women’s master road racer in 1995 and 1996 and, at 41, the oldest woman to compete in the 1996 Olympic marathon, uniquely completing all 20th-century Olympic marathons.
Over her career, she won 16 international marathons including the Boston Marathon, an Olympic bronze medal, and Commonwealth Games silver and two bronzes.
