UPDATED 6.54am:Â Pita Sharples says his knighthood belongs to his community.
MORE: Three knights and dames announced
LIST: The full Queen's Birthday Honours recipients
He's being made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to Maori, and as an MP.
Dr Sharples said he's accepting it because he was nominated by his iwi and the Maori Party and other groups he's involved with.
"That's who I have to thank for the honour, and it's really their honour."
Dr Sharples won't be popping champagne or anything grand today - he claimed he's just planning a normal day.
He said he has been enjoying spending more time with his people and his family since retiring from Parliament.
"I go to rugby, to league, to netball, to waka ama and to soccer regularly now to watch my mokos and that's a real treat," Dr Sharples stated.
"But also now I'm getting back into things at my Marae, so yeah, it's good to be back."
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
