A 15-year journey still has a long way to go for anti-rape campaigner and victim support advocate Louise Nicholas.

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The 2007 New Zealander of the Year is being recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list by being made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

She said she receives the recognition on behalf of a lot of people, and there's plenty of work to come.

"It's for everybody. Sexual violence is a heinous crime, but there's a lot of us out there, and we're going to slam dunk it."

Louise Nicholas believes her own bad experiences are finally making things good.

She said the culture of policing has turned a corner, and it's making a world of difference

"For all the bad crap that has gone on, so much good has come of it. Not just for myself but for police, for the sector and for our communities."

And today will also include a touching recognition for Lesley Elliott, but one which has once again bought up some painful memories of her daughter Sophie Elliott.

She's being honoured for her work in preventing domestic violence, after Sophie was murdered in their family home at the beginning of 2008.

Lesley Elliott said if she was told ten years ago she would be honoured for her work against domestic violence, she would respond with a look of disbelief.

She said it can be tough when she catches up with Sophie's old friends.

"Those girls of that age, they've all moved on. Her best friend just had her first baby, some of them have got married. Their lives have carried on and it just seems weird."