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Can anyone nominate a person for a New Zealand Royal Honour?
Yes, any person or persons may make a nomination by completing a nomination form and forwarding it to:
The Prime Minister
Parliament Buildings
WELLINGTON
Attention: Honours Secretariat
What is the deadline for submitting a nomination?
Nominations for consideration in the context of a Queen's Birthday List should reach the Honours Secretariat no later than 1 February and, for a New Year List, 1 August. Every endeavour is made to ensure that nominations received after the due date are considered.
Will my nomination be confidential?
Yes. All nominations for honours and awards are treated in the strictest of confidence. Details of the person making the nomination are not disclosed.
Is it possible to discuss nominations?
No, it is not possible to enter into correspondence or discussion with the Honours Secretariat on the merits of any particular nomination.
Do I need to specify which honour I want my nominee to be considered for?
No. The type or level of honour should not be stated. This is determined by
the type of service or services, the period of time over which the service
is given and whether it is at local, national or international level.
Once a nomination is made, what happens next?
The Honours Secretariat check to see that the required information is included (e.g., full name and current address) and that there are grounds for recognition. A summary is then produced for the Prime Minister. No other checks are undertaken.
If the person I am nominating already has an honour, is there a time limit before they are eligible to be considered for a further honour?
Yes. Once a person has received an honour, it is unusual for them to be considered for a further honour for at least five years.
Who decides who should receive an honour?
The formal responsibility for making honours recommendations to The Queen rests with the Prime Minister. To assist the Prime Minister, all the nominations received are considered by a Cabinet Committee of Ministers, which is chaired by the Prime Minister. The Committee studies all the nominations received, makes a shortlist, from which a final list is selected.
Why are some nominations unsuccessful?
The number of honours available is strictly limited and therefore it is not always possible to give immediate recognition to the many deserving cases made to the Prime Minister. It is important for interested parties to realise that an honour will not automatically follow the nomination of a name for consideration. Apart from limited availability of honours, a person may not receive an honour because they have previously declined an honour or may already hold an honour.
How many honours are bestowed annually?
Approximately 350 honours are given annually, divided between two lists: the New Year Honours and The Queen’s Birthday Honours lists.
If my nomination is unsuccessful, will it automatically be considered for subsequent lists?
Yes, a nomination remains under consideration for at least twelve months. It may then lapse unless a renomination or a new nomination from another source is received.
How should I renominate someone?
Renominations should be in the form of a short letter to the Honours Secretariat asking that a person be reconsidered. It is not necessary to complete a new nomination form. Any change to the original information and new information should be included in the renomination letter.
Do I need to send further information with my renomination?
No. If any further information is required, the Honours Secretariat will request it.
Are the nominees consulted before they are presented with an honour?
Yes. All nominees are asked whether they wish to accept an honour. If the honour is declined, it is not necessary for them to provide any reasons for doing so. Nominators will not be told if a person has previously declined an honour.
Can a deceased person be nominated for an honour?
No. In the case of honours for meritorious services to the community and to other fields of endeavour, announced on occasion of the New Year and The Queen’s Birthday, a nominee is required to indicate his or her acceptance of the honour before The Queen formally approves the appointment to a particular Order. Deceased persons are unable to indicate their acceptance.
In those situations where a nominee for an honour has indicated his or her acceptance but dies before The Queen has formally approved the honour, the nomination lapses. If, however, if the nominee dies after The Queen has approved the honour but before it is announced, the honour will be announced with a notation to the effect "That Her Majesty’s approval to the honour was given prior to the date of decease.” The appropriate insignia in due course will be issued to the next-of-kin.
Are nominators told if their nomination is successful or not?
No. Nominators will need to wait until the honours list is published to ascertain whether their nomination was successful.