Catherine Healy who helped bring into play sex work decriminalization in New Zealand and implementation of some of the most liberal prostitution laws in the world, was recognized for her achievements on June 4.
Healy was commended for building the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective into "a globally respected public health provider."
Some commentators have greeted the news with joy, other however were unhappy about the choice.
In June 2003, New Zealand became the first country to decriminalize sex work with the Prostitution Reform Act (PRA) 2003. Healy had been instrumental in campaigning for the legislation to be passed.
"This honor, and to have it given to me, is about saying, 'Okay, it's okay, you can come in from the cold, you and yours'," she told the national broadcaster.
The Queen of England gives out honors twice a year — on New Year's Day and on her official birthday in the beginning of June.