1 June 2026
Te Kāhui Mātai Arotamariki o Aotearoa warmly congratulates one of our own, and one of our country's most influential paediatricians and neonatologists, on a richly deserved national honour!
Associate Professor Nicola Austin has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours, in recognition of her outstanding service to children's health across Aotearoa.
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Nicola is a leading paediatrician and clinical neonatologist who has fundamentally shaped neonatal and child-health services nationwide. She currently serves as Chair of PSNZ's Child & Youth Health National Clinical Network (CYHNCN), guiding national standards of care for tamariki and rangatahi.
"Nicola has been a cornerstone of paediatric care in Aotearoa, and this honour is a fitting tribute to her decades of service. It is her tireless advocacy for the health and wellbeing of all mokopuna that truly defines her impact. Her leadership has meaningfully improved the lives of countless children and whānau across the country." — Dr Sonja Crone, President, Paediatric Society of New Zealand
Nicola's clinical leadership spans more than two decades. She served as Clinical Director of the Neonatal Unit at Christchurch Hospital, leading its relocation to Christchurch Women's Hospital in 2005, and as Clinical Director of Christchurch Women's Hospital for 20 years. From 2007 to 2013 she was Canterbury District Health Board's Chief of Child Health.
Within PSNZ, Nicola served as President from 2019 to 2021, a period in which a renewed strategy centred on equity and Te Tiriti was introduced. She has also held roles as a Council representative and, more recently, as Chair of CYHNCN.
In accepting the honour, Nicola paid tribute to the many who have shaped her work. "There are many to acknowledge who have contributed to my achievements, starting with my family, my colleagues in the Christchurch Neonatal Unit and maternity team, and the wider Waitaha and Aotearoa Child and Youth Health community. By working together, we bring improvements to the health of pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi in Aotearoa."