 The first knight from Australasia or Oceania was Richard Gardiner Casey , Baron Casey , an Australian politician , diplomat and the 16th Governor @-@ General of Australia , created a Knight Companion in 1969 . Subsequently , two more Australians , Sir Paul Hasluck and Sir Ninian Stephen , were appointed . Three New Zealanders have been appointed : Charles , Lord Elworthy , Sir Keith Holyoake , and Sir Edmund Hillary . 
