A campaigner for equal pay says she's overwhelmed to receive a Queen's Birthday Honour.

Kristine Bartlett is being made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to equal pay advocacy.

As a lead plaintiff, she played a significant role in securing a $2billion landmark equal pay settlement for carers.

She says that achievement is still sinking in and the honour is humbling.

"I couldn't sleep for a few nights, I tell ya!"

She says she never realised what impact the case would have nationally.

"Nobody told me this was going to be big! I really didn't think it was going to be big...I thought 'oh yeah, I'll front up to this case, it's about time they stood up for our rights.'"