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New Zealand has honoured the public servant most responsible for its world-leading COVID-19 policy framework with a knighthood.
Ashley Bloomfield, who was director general of health until July, was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours list, announced on Saturday.
The indefatigable Dr Bloomfield - now to be known as Sir Ashley - became an ever-present in Kiwi homes during the pandemic, joining Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at daily briefings during lockdowns at crunch moments.
New Zealanders warmed to his unflappable, no-nonsense explanatory style, which he displayed at 307 COVID-19 press conferences before stepping down earlier this year, citing exhaustion.
Sir Ashley told AAP he had "mostly been trying to recover" in the months since leaving the job.
"At one point a few weeks ago, I said to my wife, 'Gosh, it all seems quite surreal. Was it really that relentless and intense?' And she just looked at me as if I'd taken leave with my senses," he said.
He said there was a little bit of post-traumatic stress disorder in remembering the early months at "how uncertain and how anxious we all were", especially comparing NZ's response to other countries, such as the United Kingdom.
"We took really what I think were timely and important and huge actions that did save many, many lives. That's what I reflect on with the most satisfaction. There was a whole effort by the whole country."
Earlier this month, Sir Ashley revealed his next job, which is to head up the newly formed Public Policy Impact Institute at the University of Auckland.
As chair, the 55-year-old will advocate for university research to be incorporated within government policy in what he calls a "translator and interpreter" role for government.
"The idea is to build this institute to facilitate linkages ... between the research that's happening and making sure its relevant and be it's able to be plugged in, and conducive to policy development and policy decisions."
In all, 183 Kiwis were honoured in the New Year list, including two other knights and three new dames.
Actor-director Miranda Harcourt, rugby pioneer Farah Palmer, environmentalist Janice Wright, philanthropist Mark Dunajtschik and storyteller Haare Williams have also been made dames or knights companions.
