After five years he started performing again as a soloist. In the 2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours Houstoun was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services as a pianist.
For five years following a break, he began performing again as a soloist. During the 2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours, Houstoun received an appointment to the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contributions as a pianist.