Congratulations to New Zealand policing recipients of the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours

Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM)

Inspector Ross Grantham, of Palmerston North. For services to the New Zealand Police.

Inspector Ross Grantham joined the New Zealand Police in 1979, holding various roles in Wellington and Manawatu, most recently as Manawatu Area Commander from 2023 until retiring in 2026.

Inspector Grantham‘s rise through the ranks saw him involved with a range of high-profile investigations and operations, recognising and utilising advances in forensic sciences, DNA identification and immunohistochemistry. He later saw opportunities for Police interviewing and was involved in a review, developing from this a program of investigative interviewing for children and adults using internal and external academic experts. He ensured the sharing of good practice and learning, regularly tutoring at the Royal New Zealand Police College and other investigation forums nationally and internationally. He became a National Manager Interviewing in 2007 and led changes within the organisation regarding interviewing practice, as well as supporting investigations nationally as National Crime Manager. He represented New Zealand Police overseas during this period, seconded to South Australia Police and delivering homicide investigation courses. He drove a new approach for interviewing family harm victims by handheld video in 2015, which is now a mainstay approach for officers across New Zealand. He contributed to a current framework for standards expected of new constables, providing mentorship for their careers. Inspector Grantham was President of the Friends of the Police Museum during a significant museum overall.

Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)

Inspector Neru Grant Leifi, of Christchurch. For services to the New Zealand Police and the community.

Inspector Nu Leifi (Ngāti Porou, Waimā) has served with the New Zealand Police since 1985, and is the Māori, Pacific and Ethnic Services Manager for Canterbury Police.

Inspector Leifi has been heavily involved with Police outreach to the Christchurch Pacific community, particularly in schools, university and the church. He has established partnerships with Pacific community leaders and has led initiatives to prevent family violence. He has strengthened Police connections in the wider Pacific through the Pacific Policing Programme. He mentored and trained Niuean officers and their Chief of Police and supported the development of Niue’s community policing. As an International Peace Monitor, in 2001 he joined Pacific Island Police, New Zealand and Australian defence forces and government agencies in supporting peacekeeping efforts and saving lives during the civil unrest in the Solomon Islands. As Forward Commander, he led the rescue of more than 100 people trapped in the Forsyth Barr building following the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. He has served as a member of the Armed Offenders Squad since 1989, becoming an Operational Commander in Canterbury in 2020. From 2020 to 2022 he co-delivered ‘Countering Violent Extremism Through Community Policing’ to the Indonesian Police, Prisons and specialist teams in Semarang and Jakarta. Inspector Leifi has mentored Pacific youth in Christchurch and coached junior athletics and schoolboy rugby teams.