Queen's Service Order

The Queen's Service Order is a civil order of merit, whose membership by the Government of New Zealand " for valuable voluntary services to the community or meritorious and faithful work for the Crown or similar services in the public sector, whether as Elected or Appointed " is awarded. It was created by Queen Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Head of State on 13 March 1975 following a previously made ​​in the revision of the New Zealand honors system.

The support of the award are entitled to use the post- nominal QSO after their family name.

Order outline

The Order has only one class. Members are referred to as Companion. The number of admissions of members is limited to 50 people each year, there are usually but not more than 30 members of the royal family may be appointed as an extra companion, without deduction for the above figures. Persons who are citizens of New Zealand or a Commonwealth realms are not, the Order may be conferred honorary. Also has been made ​​into the award for services in public life and for services to the community prior to 2005.

In addition, the Order has various offices: Sovereign of the Order is the reigning monarch, so currently Queen Elizabeth II in her capacity as Queen of New Zealand. The Governor-General of New Zealand is automatically Principal Companion. Secretary and Registrar is the Secretary General of the Executive Council of New Zealand.

Order characters

The religious character is a stylized Manuka flower ( Zaubermyrte, Südseemyrte, New Zealand Tea Tree, botanical name: Leptospermum scoparium ) with five petals. It contains a portrait of the reigning monarch, surrounded by a crowned red circle with the inscription "FOR SERVICE - MO NGA MAHI NUI ." (German: " For merits " ) The ribbon is provided with the traditional Poutama motif of Māori in the mid- black-white- red diagonal stairs - the ever upwardly mobile symbolizing humanity -. , and on the two sides red stripes the badge is either worn on the left lapel, or belt which is arcuately attached to the left shoulder side.

Queen's Service Medal

Then there are the Queen's Service Medal, which is associated to the Order, but is not an official part. This silver circular medal shows on the front of the portrait of the reigning monarch and the coat of arms of New Zealand on the back. The pattern of the band is the same as the Queen's Service Order. The medal was awarded prior to 2005 in two versions for services in public life or services to the community. The number of annual awards is not limited here.

Structure and members

  • Sovereign ( head of the Order ): Queen Elizabeth II
  • Principal Companion: Anand Satyanand (2006)
  • Extra Companions: Prince Philip (1981 )
  • Prince Charles ( 1983)
  • Princess Anne (1990 )
  • Officers: Secretary and Registrar: Rebecca Kitteridge
Service Ribbon New Zealand Order of Merit
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