THE NEW ZEALAND ROYAL HONOURS, ORDERS AND AWARDS “Our honours system is a way for New Zealand to say thanks and well done to those who have served and those who have achieved. We believe that such recognition is consistent with the egalitarian character of New Zealand society and enlivens and enriches it.” – Report of the Prime Minister's Honours Advisory Committee, September 1995 NEW ZEALAND The Order of New Zealand (ONZ) NEW ZEALAND Queen Elizabeth II established the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1996 as a unique New Zealand Order to recognise New Zealanders who have given meritorious service to the Crown and Nation, or have become distinguished by their STATE ORDERS STATE THE ORDER OF contribution to their individual fields. Appointments of Dame / Knight Grand Companions are restricted to 30 living persons, Dame / Knight Companions, Companions, Officers and Members to 15, 40, 80, and 140 respectively per annum. The Order of New Zealand is New Zealand’s most senior honour. ORDER OF MERIT Dame / Knight Grand Companion (GNZM) Dame / Knight Companion (DNZM / KNZM) Companion (CNZM) Officer (ONZM) Member (MNZM) Queen Elizabeth II established this order in 1987 Awarded for pre-eminent contribution in any field over Awarded for pre-eminent contribution in any field achieving Awarded for a prominent national Awarded for a distinguished Awarded for achievement to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and a sustained period. Services have usually brought at a national or international level, recognised by peers and or international role, leading role regional or national role in or service to the community, people of New Zealand. Ordinary membership of international recognition. demonstrating sustained commitment. in regional affairs or distinguished any field. usually in a national role. the Order is restricted to 20 living persons. contribution to an area of activity. Nomination for a New Zealand Royal Honour Anyone can nominate a person they think is worthy of a New Zealand Royal Honour. Nomination forms and information on the honours system can be found at www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours or you can contact the Honours Unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet: Honours Unit THE QUEEN’S Cabinet Office Queen Elizabeth II established the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) with its associated NEW ZEALAND The New Zealand Antarctic The New Zealand Distinguished Service Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) in 1975. The awards recognise voluntary service to AWARDS STATE Medal (NZAM) Decoration (DSD) Parliament Buildings SERVICE ORDER the community and service through elected and appointed office. Both the Order and Wellington Medal are for civilians only and military service is not eligible. Instituted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 to replace Instituted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 to recognise distinguished military service, by regular, territorial and reserve members of the the British Polar medal. This is awarded to recognise Phone: (04) 830 5011 Queen’s Service Order Queen’s Service Medal New Zealanders and other people that have made New Zealand Defence Force, including command, leadership and (QSO) (QSM) an outstanding contribution to exploration, scientific service in an operational environment, or in support of operations. Email: [email protected] research, conservation, environmental protection, or The Decoration may be awarded to all military ranks of the New Website: www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours The QSO is usually awarded for The QSM is usually awarded for knowledge of the Antarctic region. Zealand Defence Force, or uniformed members of allied forces service at a national level. voluntary service to the community at operating with or alongside units of the New Zealand Defence Force. a local or regional level. The New Zealand The New Zealand Gallantry Awards Bravery Awards were were instituted in instituted in 1999. 1999. Previously, New Previously, New Zealand had awarded Zealand had awarded British gallantry British bravery awards. These awards. These awards awards are designed for civilians and to recognise those military personnel are military, and certain designed to recognise other categories of the actions of those support personnel, persons who save or who perform acts attempt to save the of gallantry while life of another person involved in war and and in the course of non-warlike operational which they place their service (including The Victoria Cross for The New Zealand The New Zealand The New Zealand own safety or life at The New Zealand Cross The New Zealand The New Zealand The New Zealand NEW ZEALAND peacekeeping). New Zealand (VC) Gallantry Star (NZGS) Gallantry Decoration Gallantry Medal NEW ZEALAND risk. All can be issued (NZC) Bravery Star (NZBS) Bravery Decoration Bravery Medal Gallantry awards with bars signifying a Awarded for ‘most conspicuous Awarded for ‘outstanding acts (NZGD) (NZGM) Awarded for ‘acts of great bravery Awarded for ‘acts of (NZBD) (NZBM) do not necessarily subsequent award. gallantry, or some daring or a pre- of gallantry in situations of in situations of extreme danger’. outstanding bravery in involve the saving or Awarded for ‘acts of Awarded for ‘acts of gallantry’. Awarded for ‘acts of Awarded for ‘acts of eminent act of valour, or self sacrifice danger’. AWARDS BRAVERY The Cross is similar in design to the situations of danger’. attempting to save the exceptional gallantry in exceptional bravery in bravery’. or extreme devotion to duty in the original New Zealand Cross instituted life of another person. situations of danger’. situations of danger’. face of the enemy or belligerents’. by the Government in 1869 to GALLANTRY AWARDS All can be issued The award is identical in design to, recognise acts of bravery during the with bars signifying a and made of the same Crimean War land wars of the nineteenth century. subsequent award. gunmetal as, the British Victoria Cross..