Saunders Robinson Brown partner Lee Robinson was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Mr Robinson received the award for services to the community and sport. He has been with Saunders Robinson Brown since 2001 and has extensive commercial and property law experience, as well as a particular interest in sports law.

The citation says he has contributed to the Christchurch community in a voluntary capacity for almost 20 years.

"Mr Robinson has provided leadership, governance and direction for a wide range of charitable and community-based organisations. He was Director of Richmond Services Ltd, a charity that provides community mental health and disability services. He was Chair of the St John of God Hospital Board for ten years and Chair of the Hastings St John of God Hospital Board for five years.

"He has been a Trustee of the Christchurch Child Cancer Foundation and the South Island Bone Marrow Trust. In 1998 he established the Rainbow Children’s Trust in Christchurch which has raised significant funds for additional facilities and amenities in the Christchurch Hospital children’s wards.

"Within his local Akaroa community, he is a director and instrumental member of the Akaroa Health Hub, which is rebuilding the community’s hospital and health centre following the Canterbury Earthquakes.

"He has been actively involved in re-establishing international cricket fixtures in Christchurch following the earthquakes. He has served as the Chair of the Canterbury Cricket Trust and he led the fundraising and building of the Hagley Oval Pavilion in 2013 and 2014, which enabled Christchurch to host matches and the opening ceremony of the 2015 Cricket World Cup."