Child poverty and art history experts lead University's New Year Honours

Professor Jonathan Boston and Associate Professor Christina Barton are among 15 members of the University community to receive 2021 New Year Honours.

Older man sitting forward with elbows on knees, wearing dark suit, second photo a woman in front of a black gallery roof with her hand on a brick wall
Professor of Public Policy at the School of Government | Te Kura Kāwangatanga Jonathan Boston and Adam Art Gallery | Te Pātaka Toi director Associate Professor Christina Barton are among 15 members of the Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington community to receive 2021 New Year Honours.

Professor Boston was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to public and social policy. He has published widely on a range of matters, including public management, social policy, climate change policy, tertiary education policy, and comparative government.

“I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all those friends and colleagues who have supported and assisted me during my academic career, and especially my wife for her steadfast love and care,” he says.

Professor Boston was a member of the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission during 2000–2001 and later helped to design, implement, and evaluate the Performance-Based Research Fund for tertiary education organisations. He was also co-chair of the Expert Advisory Group on Solutions to Child Poverty during 2012–13, applying his expertise to forming policies to benefit thousands of New Zealand children. He has published a number of books, the most recent being Transforming the welfare state: towards a new social contract.

“We are extremely proud of Professor Boston for receiving this well-earned recognition,” says Professor Jane Bryson, Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Wellington School of Business and Government | Ōrauariki.

“His research and advocacy in the areas of governance and public policy—including crucial areas such as child poverty, welfare, and climate change—have had, and continue to have, a significant impact in New Zealand.”

Associate Professor Barton was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to art history and curation. She teaches art history at the University and in 2007 was appointed director of its Adam Art Gallery.

“I’m very pleased art history and curation have received this recognition in the New Years Honours. It proves the value of this subject and the work my discipline achieves,” she says.

“The University has long been recognised as a leader in the field of art history and I am so proud of the many graduates now contributing to the cultural sector as a consequence of studying here. I hope this recognition can be used to advance further investment in the work to which I have dedicated my career.”

Associate Professor Barton has produced often the first exhibitions and publications on underrepresented and emerging artists. Last year, she published Billy Apple® Life/Work, a major study of a New Zealand artist who has been exhibited internationally for more than 60 years.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education and chair of the Adam Art Gallery Advisory Board Professor Jennifer Windsor says, “Associate Professor Barton has been an invaluable member of our University since beginning as a lecturer in 1995. Her influence in the world of contemporary New Zealand art history and curation is significant and we are delighted to congratulate her on this honour.”

The two academic staff join an array of alumni recognised for their leadership across the fields of theatre, cultural preservation, sport, gender rights, governance, and more.

New Zealand Order of Merit

Honorary Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Suzanne Snively ONZM for services to governance.

Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Professor William Te Rangiua Temara CNZM for services to Māori and education.

Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Distinguished Professor Philippa Lynne Howden-Chapman QSO for services to public health.

Albert Jelley OBE for services to athletics and the game of bridge.

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Professor Jonathon Boston for services to public and social policy.

Alistair Davis for services to the motor industry, business and sustainability.

Leo Donnelly for services to karate.

Murray Lynch for services to theatre.

Joanna Randerson for services to the performing arts.

Guy Salmon for services to the environment.

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Associate Professor Christina Barton for services to art history and curation.

Vanisa Dhiru JP for services to the community and gender rights.

Vicki-Anne Heikell for services to heritage preservation and Māori.

Melissa Moon for services to athletics and charitable causes.

The Queen’s Service Medal

Grace Hutton for services to Pacific art and the community.