Kiri Te Kanawa

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Records

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's honours are a testament to her extraordinary career. She was created a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1982, and later elevated to the Order of New Zealand, the country's highest honour. She holds honorary doctorates from Oxford, Cambridge, and Auckland, among others. Her Grammy wins for classical vocal performance and opera recording highlight her exceptional artistry, and she remains a cultural icon in New Zealand and beyond.

AwardsTe Kanawa has won multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance for her recording of Mozart's Exsultate, jubilate and Best Opera Recording for Le nozze di Figaro. She has also received the New Zealand Order of Merit and various lifetime achievement awards from classical music organizations worldwide.

Honours & Distinctions

Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire

British Crown·1982

For services to music.

Order of New Zealand

New Zealand Government·1995

The highest honour in New Zealand.

Honorary Doctorate

University of Oxford·1985

Honorary degree for contributions to music.

Honorary Doctorate

University of Cambridge·1987

Honorary degree.

Honorary Doctorate

University of Auckland·1990

Honorary degree.

Rankings & Lists

#Featured

10 facts you never knew

Classic FM·2018

Records & Feats

First New Zealand-born singer to achieve international opera stardom

Historic First·1971

Te Kanawa's 1971 debut at the Royal Opera House as the Countess made her the first New Zealand-born singer to gain global recognition in opera.