The Rev Dr Allan Davidson, who retired this year after 27 years' lecturing at St John's Theological College in Auckland, has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Dr Davidson, who was born in Hokitika, won scholarships for post-graduate and doctoral study in Chicago and Aberdeen.

He was encouraged to teach history following a spell relieving at Knox Theological College in Dunedin.

He accepted "as an adventure" a lecturer's job at Rarongo Theological College in Papua New Guinea and stayed nearly five years, with his wife Margaret and two daughters.

"I was exposed to a variety of languages and cultures and it was a richly rewarding and challenging time," Dr Davidson said.

At St John's, his passion for research resulted in the publication in 1991 of his book Christianity in Aotearoa: A History of Church and Society in New Zealand.

In retirement, Dr Davidson supervises post-graduate students and is editing a history of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland.