Outstanding service by vets recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
MEDIA RELEASE
Published on 3 June 2025.
Two veterinarians recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours, Professor Emeritus Joe Mayhew and Dr Richard Wild, are outstanding leaders in the profession, says the New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA).
“Congratulations on behalf of the veterinary profession and thank you to both of you for your huge contribution,” says NZVA President Kate Hill.
Professor Emeritus Joe Mayhew has been awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to the veterinary profession, especially equine medicine.
Now living in Gisborne, he is a world authority in his field of equine neurology and large animal medicine and authored the large animal neurology textbook that is recognised as an essential reference for veterinarians.
“Through his work internationally and here in New Zealand, Professor Mayhew has helped many thousands of veterinarians achieve high standards in the treatment of horses and other animals.”
“He is hugely respected across our profession,” says Dr Hill.
Professor Mayhew returned to New Zealand after decades overseas, and took the position of Professor of Equine Studies at Massey University, enabling the Veterinary School to become a world leader by ensuring compliance for accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Mayhew has been Professor Emeritus since 2017 and editor for the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association since 2014.
He was awarded the New Zealand Veterinary Association’s President’s Award in 2021, the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association Outstanding Equine Veterinarian Award in 2016, and was inducted into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Association Hall of Fame in 2015.
Dr Richard Wild received the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to animal welfare and the veterinary sector
Dr Wild is a former president of the NZVA from 2009 to 2012 and won the 2016 NZVA President’s Award. He has chaired the Animal Welfare Network Aotearoa since 2021.
In 2005, he became the founding President of the Food Safety and Biosecurity special interest branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA).
“Dr Wild strengthened our focus on animal welfare and has made a huge impact across New Zealand,” says Dr Hill.
“Our animal welfare standards are vitally important to our reputation in international markets, and Dr Wild has been instrumental in developing the standards and regulations that ensure New Zealand is world-leading.”
Dr Wild’s work was fundamental in setting up a better system for veterinary certification for the transport of defective animals, and he has been central to the development and implementation of education campaigns for new regulations.
