Ashley Bloomfield

From clinician, to DHB CEO, to driving the country's policy during the pandemic as Director-General of Health, Bloomfield can now add 'knight' to his list ...

In periods like the Cold War, it was a key part of both sides to undermine the position of the other." "I read a book on the history of disinformation. "I've had some lovely gifts, a pair of socks recently. Then there was two to three hours of preparation every day." If that's been recognised, it is a great surprise and great honour." None of us did," Bloomfield says.

He shepherded the “team of five million” through two years of pandemic uncertainty – but did check with his wife before saying yes to a knighthood.

First, he was a doctor, then a “saint”, and now the country's most famous public servant is to become “Sir”. Dr Ashley Bloomfield in his former role as Dir.

There was also the risk of new variants emerging as China abandons its zero-Covid strategy. New Zealand was not on the same score metric, we were 35th best prepared. Bloomfield was born in Napier but spent most of his childhood in Wellington. “And of course... I’m a long-standing public servant and I’m looking forward to contributing to New Zealand and the Pacific in the new role.” I enjoy working here. People were isolated from their family, friends, and asked to do quite extraordinary things, but they did it. Bloomfield said the science and research link to the Government would be a key part of the Ashley Bloomfield's final interview with Mike Hosking](/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/dr-ashley-bloomfield-departing-director-general-of-health-in-his-final-interview-with-mike-hosking-breakfast/?utm_source=zb&utm_campaign=article_link&utm_content=related) [unprecedented protests](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/covid-19-wellington-protest-riots-fire-and-violence-as-police-end-occupation/SKA5WAE3HBT3GZOY2SNZPOBWLY/) and the [occupation outside Parliament](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-omicron-inside-the-parliament-protest-camp-the-people-who-built-a-village-in-central-wellington/EJIJMRG2IEDZ4BP4WJ64ZWF7JQ/), both from those caught up in [waves of social media-fuelled disinformation](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-wellington-protest-the-moment-occupation-turned-into-a-riot/QW6QKNQRADI52ZIPCXK3KNN4Q4/) and others who simply felt it was a step too far for a government to take. There was political flak over the speed of everything from procurement of PPE to vaccines to antivirals and from iwi for not partnering in the response. First, he was a doctor, then a “saint”, and now the country’s most famous public servant is to become “Sir”.

Dr Ashley Bloomfield, who steered the country's much-lauded Covid-19 response, has been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his ...

Pania Papa was also made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to Maori language education and broadcasting in New Zealand. Snow sport athletes Nico Porteous and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott have been appointed members of the New Zealand Order of Merit for their service to snow sports. Michele A’Court has been made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, recognising her trailblazing work and advocacy in comedy. Both men were made members of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013. Also among the six new Dames and Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit are Miranda Harcourt, for services to the screen industry and theatre, and Dr Haare Mahanga Te Wehinga Williams for services to Maori, literature and education. Of those on the list, 126 have been appointed to the New Zealand Order of Merit, four were made companions of the Queen’s Service Order, 49 were given the Queen’s Service Medal, one the New Zealand Antarctic Medal and three the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration.