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Ribbon of the New Zealand Order of Merit

The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of chivalry established on 30 May 1996 by Queen Elizabeth II of New Zealand. The Order includes five classes:

• Principal Companion (PCNZM; formerly Knight or Dame Grand Companion, GNZM)
• Distinguished Companion (DCNZM; formerly Knight or Dame Companion, KNZM or DNZM)
• Companion (CNZM)
• Officer (ONZM)
• Member (MNZM)

It was established "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]

As a result of the reform of the New Zealand honours system in 1996, appointments to the New Zealand Order of Merit replaced appointments to 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 Order's motto is For Merit/Tohu Hiranga.^[1]

The two highest ranks entailed admission to knighthood until the Order's statutes were revised in 2001.^[3][4] This 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'.

In the lead up to the 2005 general election, Leader of the Opposition Don Brash suggested that should a National-led government by elected, he would reverse Labour's changes to the Order and re-introduce knighthoods and damehoods to the order.^[5] Many New Zealanders still hope for the reintroduction of knighthoods and damehoods with the added distinction that they provide. However, a poll conducted by the National Business Review^[6] in February 2000 revealed that 54% of New Zealanders thought the titles should be scrapped. Technically, a New Zealander can still receive a knighthood or damehood directly from the Queen.

The number of Principal Companions is limited to 30. New appointments are limited to 15 Distinguished Companions, 40 Companions, 80 Officers and 140 Members per year.^[7] Ordinary membership is open to citizens of New Zealand or of 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 natualised 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

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. Principal Companions wear a gold star and Distinguished 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 Order's motto, topped by a royal crown. The badge for Officers and Members are similar, but in silver-gilt and silver respectively. Principal Companions wear the badge on a sash worn over the right shoulder; Distinguished 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 is plain red ochre.

The insignia were not affected by the discontinuation of knighthoods.

The Order's statutes outline the heraldic privileges of membership of the Order.^[7] 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"^[7]) surrounding their shield. Principal 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.

• Sovereign: HM The Queen
• Knights and Dames Grand Companion and Principal Companions:
  • Rt Hon. Sir Michael Hardie Boys GNZM GCMG QSO (1996)
  • Rt Hon. Sir William Birch GNZM (1999)
  • Rt Hon. Dame Sian Elias GNZM QC (1999)
  • Emeritus Professor Lloyd Geering ONZ PCNZM CBE (30 December 2000)
  • Hon. Dame Silvia Cartwright PCNZM DBE QSO (20 March 2001)
  • Sir Patrick Goodman PCNZM CBE (3 June 2002)
  • Rt Hon. Sir Ivor Richarson PCNZM (3 June 2002)
  • Prof. Paul Callaghan PCNZM (31 January 2005)
  • HE Hon. Anand Satyanand PCNZM QSO (5 June 2006)

• Officials:
  • Chancellor: HE Hon. Anand Satyanand PCNZM QSO (Governor-General of New Zealand)
  • Herald: Philippe O'Shea CNZM LVO (New Zealand Herald Extraordinary)
  • Secretary and Registrar: Diane Morcom (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.^[8]

• 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
• The Governor-General (second from left) is wearing the sash of the Order.
• 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, has more images of the insignia