New Zealand Order of Merit

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Ribbon of the New Zealand Order of Merit

The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."^[1] The order includes five levels:

• Knight or Dame Grand Companion (GNZM)
• Knight or Dame Companion (KNZM or DNZM)
• Companion (CNZM)
• Officer (ONZM)
• Member (MNZM)

Prior to 1996 New Zealanders received appointments to various British orders, viz. the Order of the Bath, Order of St Michael and St George, Order of the British Empire, Order of the Companions of Honour as well as the distinction of Knight Bachelor.^[2] The change came about after a committee to review honours which was convened in 1995 (Prime Minister's Honours Advisory Committee) suggested the creation of a distinctive New Zealand honour which would be similar to the aforementioned British honours.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Controversy

Between 2000 and 2009, the two highest awards were called Principal Companion (PCNZM) and Distinguished Companion (DCNZM); recipients did not gain the title "Sir" or "Dame". ^[3][4] The change to titleless honours was a recommendation contained within the original report of the 1995 honours committee which prompted the creation of the New Zealand Order of Merit, which was until then not implemented.^{[citation needed]} Nonetheless, the change was criticised by opposition parties, with Richard Prebble of the ACT New Zealand party deriding the PCNZM's initials as standing for 'a Politically Correct New Zealand that used to be a Monarchy'.

The issue of titular honours would appear whenever honours were mentioned. In the lead up to the 2005 general election, Leader of the Opposition Don Brash suggested that should a National-led government be elected, he would reverse Labour's changes and re-introduce knighthoods.^[5] The National Business Review^[6] in February 2000 revealed that 54% of New Zealanders thought the titles should be scrapped.

In 2009, Prime Minister John Key restored the honours to the state as they were before the change (before 2000). Principal Companions and Distinguished Companions were given the option to accept a title. ^[7]

[edit] Award quotas

The number of Grand Companions is limited to 30. Otherwise, new appointments are limited to 15 Knight Companions, 40 Companions, 80 Officers and 140 Members per year.^[8] Ordinary membership is open to citizens of New Zealand or of Commonwealth countries which recognize Elizabeth II as head of state (Commonwealth Realms). "Additional" members, appointed on special occasions, are not counted in the numerical limits. Foreigners appointed to the Order are given "Honorary" membership, though if they subsequently become a naturalised New Zealand citizen or a citizen of a Commonwealth realm they are eligible for Additional membership.

Reference: Sections 6–11 of the Statutes of the Order

[edit] Insignia and other distinctions

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the sash and the star of the New Zealand Order of Merit, as well as the badges on her shoulder of the Order of New Zealand and the Queen's Service Order

• The Collar, worn only by the Sovereign and Chancellor, comprises "links of the central medallion of the badge" and "S"-shaped Koru, with the Coat of Arms of New Zealand in centre. Hanging from the Coat of Arms is the badge of the Order.
• The Star is an eight-pointed star with each arm bearing a representation of a fern frond, with the Order's badge superimposed in the centre. Grand Companions wear a gold star and Knight Companions wear a silver star.
• The Badge for the three highest classes is a gold and white enamel cross with curved edges bearing at its centre the coat of arms of New Zealand within a green enamel ring bearing the motto For Merit Tohu Hiranga, topped by a royal crown. The badge for Officers and Members are similar, but in silver-gilt and silver respectively. Grand Companions wear the badge on a sash worn over the right shoulder; Knight Companions and Companions wear a neck ribbon (men) or a bow on the left shoulder (women). For Officers and Members it is worn from a ribbon on the left lapel (men) or a bow on the left shoulder (women).
• The ribbon and sash are plain red ochre.

Knights (Dames) Grand Companion and Knights (Dames) Companion are entitled to use the style "Sir" ("Dame").

The order's statutes outline certain heraldic privileges connected to the order.^[8] Members of the top two grades are entitled to have the Order's circlet ("a green circle, edged gold, and inscribed with the Motto of the Order in gold"^[8]) surrounding their shield. Grand Companions are also entitled to heraldic supporters. The Chancellor is entitled to supporters and a representation of the Collar of the Order around his/her shield.

[edit] Grand Companions and office holders

• Sovereign: The Queen
• Knights and Dames Grand Companion and Principal Companions:
  • Sir Michael Hardie Boys GNZM GCMG QSO (1996)
  • Sir William Birch GNZM (1999)
  • Dame Sian Elias GNZM QC (1999)
  • Emeritus Prof. Lloyd Geering ONZ PCNZM CBE (2000)
  • Dame Silvia Cartwright PCNZM DBE QSO (2001)
  • Sir Patrick Goodman PCNZM Kt CBE (2002)
  • Sir Ivor Richardson PCNZM Kt (2002)
  • Prof. Paul Callaghan PCNZM FRS (2005)
  • Sir Anand Satyanand GNZM QSO (2006)
  • Dame Malvina Major PCNZM DBE (2007)
  • Prof. Ngatata Love PCNZM QSO JP (2008)

• Officials:
  • Chancellor: Sir Anand Satyanand GNZM QSO (Governor-General of New Zealand)
  • Herald: Philip O'Shea CNZM LVO (New Zealand Herald Extraordinary)
  • Secretary and Registrar: Rebecca Kitteridge (Clerk of the Executive Council of New Zealand)

Reference: Sovereign, Chancellor, Secretary and Registrar, and Herald: The New Zealand Order of Merit;^[1] Knights and Dames Grand Companion and Principal Companions: Principal and Distinguished Companions of The New Zealand Order of Merit and Knights and Dames.^[9]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The New Zealand Order of Merit at Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Accessed 22 February 2006. Has images of the various insignia.
• NZDF Medals - The New Zealand Order of Merit (images)
• Statutes of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Royal Warrant of 30 May 1996 (SR 1996/205). Accessed 22 February 2006.
• ODM - New Zealand Order of Merit (images)