Cynthia ... having lived in NZ, Australia and now the UK the " mid year honours" coincide with the Public Holiday in NZ and Australia to celebrate the monarch's official birthday and in the UK with the Trooping of the Colour, the monarch's official birthday in the UK though not a Bank ( UK Public Holiday ) Holiday, in NZ and Oz the Public Holiday or more commonly known as a Long Weekend is known as King's Birthday Weekend. Honours are announced in NZ at the New Year and the King's Birthday in Jun, in Oz they are announced on Australia Day ( Jan 26) and King's Birthday Weekend.