Over the course of 30 years, one New Year Honours recipient has managed to help change the face of genetic disease care in New Zealand.

National Director of National Genetic Health Services, Dr Joanne Dixon is to become an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Dr Joanne Dixon said things have changed greatly over the years.

"In 1991 when I came back to New Zealand, there wasn't a genetic service, and within a year I was the only geneticist left in the country anyway."

Joanne Dixon said services now in place help empower those with genetic diseases to have control over their life and their condition.

She said the Genetic Health Service makes a huge difference to those with inherited diseases.

"We can't treat their diseases for the most part, but what we can do is help them to understand what's happening in their family, to give them information and to empower them to take control of their lives and their condition."

Dr Dixon said things have changed greatly since she returned to New Zealand in 1991, as she was the only geneticist and there were no services available at all.