22 January 2026 Lincoln University alumni recognised among New Year honours recipients

Lincoln University congratulates alumni recognised with awards in the 2026 New Year Honours List.

Appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to the deer industry is Andrew Webster Macfarlane of Mid Canterbury, BAgrSc (1981), DCom honoris causa (2025).

Admitted to the New Zealand Order of Merit as a Member (MNZM) for services to agricultural science is Dr Robyn Ann Dynes of Christchurch, BAgrSc (1985), PhD (1994), Bledisloe Medal (2025). 

Also admitted as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM), for services to sport, is Malcolm Ian McKee of Gore, a BAgrCom student 1976-1977.

Andrew (‘Andy’) Macfarlane is a well-known member of the Lincoln University whanau, widely respected as a leader and innovator in New Zealand’s primary production and management sectors. For the first three decades of his career after graduation, he practised as a registered farm consultant. National and international leadership and governance roles followed, including over 10 years as a member of the Lincoln University Council, presidency of the Institute of Primary Industry Management (of which he was awarded Life Membership), chairing Deer Industry NZ, and membership of the International Farm Management Association. Nationally, directorships have included ANZCO, Ngai Tahu Farming, AgResearch, and Fonterra. He was awarded a Lincoln University honorary Doctor of Commerce degree at the 2025 Graduation.  

Dr Robyn Dynes is a Principal Scientist and Farmer Engagement Specialist with Bioeconomy Science Institute, Lincoln. Her career as an agricultural scientist spans more than 35 years, with a focus on researching, understanding, and communicating the relationships among land, food, and ecosystems. Her recent research focuses on interactions between emissions to air and water from agricultural systems and the changes in practice needed by farmers to mitigate climate change impacts and adapt to new realities and a ‘new normal’. Dr Dynes is a past winner of the NZIAHS Sir Arthur Ward Trophy for communication in agricultural and horticultural science. In 2023, she was appointed a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science. After completing her Lincoln University degrees, Dr Dynes worked for a period for the CSIRO in Western Australia as a Senior Scientist.  She was the recipient of Lincoln University’s Bledisloe Medal in 2025 for distinguished career contributions advancing New Zealand’s interests.

Malcom McKee has been appointed MNZM for services to sport, in recognition of a career spanning over 30 years as a volunteer and community administrator. In sport, principally rugby and equestrian show jumping, his career has included long service to the Southland Country Rugby Club, with 14 years on Southland selection boards, and as a junior and senior delegate for Northern Southland. For Equestrian Sports NZ he has been a show jumping judge for almost 30 years. He holds international accreditation as a show jumping judge and has served in that role at over 20 FEI World Cup Competitions.  In community administration, he has served as treasurer, chair or president for 17 community groups, including 22 years on the Waikaia Domain Board.