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New Zealand Honours

 

The Queen's Service Order

ROYAL WARRANT

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God Queen of New Zealand and Her Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith, to all to whom these Presents shall come,

GREETING!

WHEREAS by a Warrant under the Seal of New Zealand dated 13 March 1975, We were pleased to institute and create a new Civil Order of Distinction styled and designated “The Queen’s Service Order”, and containing two sub-divisions, the first "For Community Service" and the second "For Public Services", and did make, ordain, and establish Statutes for the governance of the same, reserving to Ourselves, Our Heirs and Successors, full power of annulling, altering, abrogating, augmenting, interpreting or dispensing with Our Warrant or any part thereof, by a notification under the Sign Manual of the Sovereign of the Order.


AND WHEREAS by a Warrant under the Seal of New Zealand dated 15 October 1981; We were pleased to make certain amendments to the said Warrant of 13 March 1975.


AND WHEREAS it appears to Us expedient to discontinue the two sub-divisions, make new provisions and amendments to the said Warrants of Our Order.

WE, therefore, in pursuance of the power vested in Us, do hereby cancel and annul Our said Warrants of 13 March 1975 and 15 October 1981, and in substitution thereof do hereby make, ordain, and establish the following Statutes.


  1. Style and Designation
    The Order shall be styled and designated "THE QUEEN'S SERVICE ORDER".
     
  2. Membership
    1. The Order shall consist of the Sovereign, a Principal Companion and one level of membership, styled “Companions”.
    2. Companions shall be composed of Ordinary, Extra, Additional and Honorary Companions.
       
  3. Sovereign
    We, Our Heirs and Successors, Kings and Queens Regnant of New Zealand, are and forever shall be Sovereigns of this Order.
     
  4. Principal Companion
    The Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over Our Realm of New Zealand, if not already a Companion, shall be an Additional Companion, with the designation of “Principal Companion”, of this Order.
     
  5. Ordinary Companions
    Persons eligible for appointment as Ordinary Companions of this Order shall be citizens of New Zealand or citizens of Commonwealth nations of which We are Sovereign.
     
  6. Extra Companions
    Princes and Princesses of the Blood Royal and members of Our Royal Family who may be appointed to this Order, shall be Extra Companions.
     
  7. Additional Companions
    Additional Companions of this Order may be appointed in commemoration of any important Royal, State, or National occasion.
     
  8. Honorary Companions
    Persons who are not New Zealand citizens or citizens of nations of which We are Sovereign are eligible to be appointed Honorary Companions of this Order.
     
  9. Qualifications
    Persons to be admitted as Companions of this Order shall be those who have rendered either, or both:
    1. valuable voluntary service to the community; or
    2. meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or appointed office.
     
  10. Post-Nominal Letters – QSO
    Ordinary, Extra, Additional and Honorary Companions of this Order shall have the privilege of adding the letters “QSO” after their names.
     
  11. Allocations – QSO
    1. Ordinary Companions of the Order shall not exceed 50 appointments per annum.
    2. Extra, Additional and Honorary Companions shall be additional to the Ordinary membership of this Order.
       
  12. Appointments to be made by Warrant
    1. When We Our Heirs or Successors, shall be pleased to appoint any person to be an Ordinary, Extra, Additional, or Honorary Companion of this Order, such appointment shall be made by Warrant under our Sign Manual, sealed with the Seal of this Order, and countersigned by the Principal Companion or the Secretary and Registrar acting for the Principal Companion of this Order.
    2. Warrants of Appointment to this Order shall be engrossed in English and MAori.
       
  13. Prime Minister to submit names for appointment
    No person shall be eligible to be appointed an Ordinary, Extra, Additional, or Honorary Companion of this Order unless their name has been laid before Us, Our Heirs or Successors, by Our Prime Minister of New Zealand or by a Minister of the Crown deputising for Our Prime Minister.
     
  14. Cancellation of Appointments
    It shall be competent for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, by an Order signed by the Sovereign and sealed with the Seal of this Order, and on a recommendation by Our Prime Minister of New Zealand or a Minister of the Crown deputising for our Prime Minister, to cancel and annul the appointment of any person to this Order, and that thereupon the name of such a person in the Register shall be erased and the Badge returned to the Secretary and Registrar of this Order.
     
  15. Restoration to the Order
    It shall be competent for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, on a recommendation by Our Prime Minister of New Zealand or a Minister of the Crown deputising for our Prime Minister, to restore to this Order any person whose appointment may have been cancelled and annulled.
     
  16. Appointments to be published in “ New Zealand Gazette
    The names of those persons appointed Ordinary, Extra, Additional and Honorary Companions of this Order shall be published in the “ New Zealand Gazette”.
     
  17. The Queen’s Service Medal
    Associated with this Order there shall be a medal designated “THE QUEEN’S SERVICE MEDAL”.
     
  18. Persons Eligible for the award of the Medal
    Persons eligible for the award of the Medal shall be citizens of New Zealand or citizens of Commonwealth Nations of which We are Sovereign.
     
  19. Honorary award of the Medal
    Persons who are not New Zealand citizens or citizens of nations of which We are Sovereign are eligible to be awarded an Honorary Medal.
     
  20. Qualifications
    The Medal shall be awarded to those persons who have rendered either, or both:
    1. valuable voluntary service to the community; or
    2. meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or appointed office.
       
  21. Post-Nominal Letters – QSM
    Recipients of The Queen’s Service Medal shall have the privilege of adding the letters “QSM” after their names.
     
  22. Allocations - QSM
    There shall be no limit on the number of Medals that may be awarded per annum.
     
  23. Certificates
    1. Those persons awarded the Medal shall receive a Certificate under Our Sign Manual, Sealed with the Seal of this Order, and countersigned by the Principal Companion or the Secretary and Registrar acting for the Principal Companion of this Order.
    2. Certificates shall be engrossed in English and MAori.
       
  24. Prime Minister to submit names for Medal
    No person shall be eligible to receive the Medal or an Honorary Medal unless their name has been laid before Us, Our Heirs or Successors, by Our Prime Minister of New Zealand or by a Minister of the Crown deputising for Our Prime Minister.
     
  25. Cancellation of Award of Medal
    It shall be competent for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, by an Order signed by the Sovereign and sealed with the Seal of this Order, and on a recommendation to that effect by or through Our Prime Minister of New Zealand or a Minister of the Crown deputising for Our Prime Minister, to cancel and annul the award to any person of The Queen’s Service Medal, and that thereupon the name of such a person in the Register shall be erased and the Medal returned to the Secretary and Registrar of this Order.
     
  26. Restoration of Cancelled Medal
    It shall be competent for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, on a recommendation by our Prime Minister of New Zealand or a Minister of the Crown deputising for Our Prime Minister, to restore The Queen’s Service Medal to any person whose Medal may have been cancelled and annulled.
     
  27. Awards of medal to be published in “ New Zealand Gazette”
    The names of those persons awarded The Queen’s Service Medal shall be published in the “New Zealand Gazette”.
     
  28. Holders of the Medal appointed a Companion
    Persons upon whom the Medal of the Order has been conferred who subsequently are appointed a Companion of this Order may continue to wear the Medal and use the post nominal letters “ QSM” after their name.
     
  29. Description of Badge of Companions
    The Badge to be worn by Companions of this Order shall be circular in shape, consisting of five large and five small stylised flower petals in frosted silver, superimposed upon which there shall be a silver gilt medallion bearing the effigy of the Sovereign within a circle of red enamel inscribed FOR SERVICE - MŌ NGA MAHI NUI and surmounted by a Royal Crown (St Edward’s Crown) in silver gilt.
     
  30. Naming of Badge
    The name of the Companion shall be engraved on the reverse of the Badge.
     
  31. Method of Wearing Badge
    Companions shall wear the Badge suspended from a ribbon on the left lapel of the coat or from a ribbon tied in a bow and worn on the left shoulder.
     
  32. Description of Medal
    The Queen’s Service Medal shall be of silver and circular in shape, bearing on the obverse the effigy of the Sovereign and on the reverse a representation of the Armorial Bearings of Our Realm of New Zealand surrounded by the inscription “THE QUEEN’S SERVICE MEDAL – FOR SERVICE - MŌ NGA MAHI NUI."
     
  33. Naming of Medal
    The name of the recipient shall be engraved or stamped on the rim of the Medal.
     
  34. Method of Wearing Medal
    The Medal shall be worn suspended from the ribbon on the left lapel of the coat or from a ribbon tied in a bow and worn on the left shoulder.
     
  35. Ribbon
    The Ribbon of this Order from which the Badges of Companions and Medals shall be suspended shall be 38mm in width, having narrow red ochre (Kokowai) edges with, in the centre, alternating diagonal steps in red ochre (Kokowai), white and black, descending from left to right.
     
  36. Miniature Badge of Companions
    The Miniature Badge worn by the Companions of this Order shall be a reproduction of the full-size badge, save that it shall not exceed one half size of the full-size Badge.
     
  37. Miniature Medal
    The Miniature Medal worn by those awarded the Medal of this Order shall be a reproduction of the full-size Queen’s Service Medal, save that it shall not exceed one half of the size of the full-size Medal.
     
  38. Sealed Patterns of Miniatures
    Sealed patterns of the Miniature Badges and Medals shall be deposited with and kept by the Secretary and Registrar of this Order.
     
  39. Lapel Badges
    Lapel Badges, to be worn by Companions and holders of the Medal on those occasions it is inappropriate to wear the full-size or miniature insignia, shall not exceed 18mm in diameter and, shall consist of a red ochre disc with, in the centre, -
    1. An outline of the Badge with a silver Royal Crown (St Edward’s Crown) in the centre, for Companions:
    2. A silver Royal Crown (St Edward’s Crown) within a silver circle, for recipients of the Medal.
       
  40. Badge of the Sovereign
    1. The Badge of the Sovereign of this Order shall be similar to that prescribed for Companions, that is to say, it shall be circular in shape, consisting of five large and five small stylised flower petals in frosted silver, superimposed upon which there shall be a silver gilt medallion engraved with the Cypher of the Sovereign within a plain circle of red enamel and that St Edward’s Crown shall be jewelled.
    2. The Badge shall be attached to a silver-gilt chain composed of links bearing flowers and the Sovereign’s Cypher.
    3. The Badge may be worn around the neck from a silver-gilt chain or, as appropriate, around the neck from the ribbon of this Order, or from the ribbon tied in a bow and worn on the left shoulder.
       
  41. Principal Companion: Duties
    The Principal Companion shall countersign all Warrants, Certificates and other instruments of this Order to which the Seal of the Order is affixed.
     
  42. Principal Companion: Badge
    1. The Principal Companion, in addition to the Badge of a Companion of this Order, may wear on appropriate occasions a distinctive Badge of Office.
    2. The Badge of the Principal Companion of this Order shall be similar to that prescribed for Companions, that is to say, it shall be circular in shape, consisting of five large and five small stylised flower petals in frosted silver, superimposed upon which there shall be a silver gilt medallion bearing the crowned effigy of the Sovereign within a plain circle of red enamel and that St Edwards’s Crown shall be jewelled.
    3. The Badge shall be attached to a silver-gilt chain composed of links bearing flowers and the Sovereign’s Cypher.
    4. The Badge may be worn around the neck from a silver-gilt chain or, as appropriate, around the neck from the ribbon of this Order, or from the ribbon tied in a bow and worn on the left shoulder.
       
  43. Secretary and Registrar
    1. There shall be a Secretary and Registrar of this Order, who shall be appointed by Us, Our Heirs and Successors, and who shall hold the said office during Our pleasure.
    2. The Secretary and Registrar of this Order, for the time being, shall be the Clerk of Our Executive Council of New Zealand or such other person who shall be appointed by Us, Our Heirs and Successors.
       
  44. Secretary and Registrar: Duties
    The Secretary and Registrar shall-
    1. Maintain a Register of all Companions appointed to this Order and all those persons awarded The Queen’s Service Medal;
    2. Prepare all Warrants and Certificates, and other instruments to be passed under the Seal of the Order;
    3. Summon all those persons to be admitted to this Order or receive the Medal;
    4. Perform such other duties as may be directed by the Sovereign or Principal Companion of the Order; and
    5. Hold in safe-custody the Seal of the Order.
  45. Secretary and Registrar: Badge
    1. The Badge of the Secretary and Registrar of this Order shall be similar to that prescribed for the Principal Companion, save that the silver-gilt medallion bearing the crowned effigy of the Sovereign shall be within a silver-gilt circle engraved “SECRETARY AND REGISTRAR”.
    2. The Badge shall be attached to a silver-gilt chain composed of links bearing flowers and the Sovereign’s Cypher.
    3. The Badge may be worn around the neck from a silver-gilt chain or, as appropriate, around the neck from the ribbon of the Order, or from the ribbon tied in a bow and worn on the left shoulder.
  46. Return of Badges of Office
    On the resignation, dismissal, or death of the Principal Companion or of the Secretary and Registrar of this Order, their Badge of office shall be restored to the Sovereign of this Order; and each such officer shall, upon receiving their Badge, give a written undertaking that their Badge will be so restored.
     
  47. Precedence of Principal Companion and Companions
    1. The Principal Companion of this Order shall take precedence over all Companions and on ceasing to be Principal Companion shall take precedence among other Companions according to the date of their appointment as a Companion of this Order.
    2. Companions of this Order “For Community Service” or “For Public Services", appointed under Our Warrants dated 13 March 1975 and 15 October 1981 shall continue to take precedence among other Companions according to the date of their appointment as a Companion of this Order.
  48. Order of Wear
    It shall be competent for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, to determine from time to time, the precedence and the order of wear of the Badge of this Order and associated Medal in relation to Our other Orders of Chivalry, Orders, Decorations, and Medals that have been or may be conferred in Our Realm of New Zealand.
     
  49. Investitures
    1. It shall be competent for Our Principal Companion of this Order to perform in Our Name, and on Our behalf, the ceremony of investing those persons admitted to this Order with the Badge of their dignity and those persons awarded the Medal of the Order.
    2. It further shall be competent for Our Principal Companion of this Order:
      1. to authorise some distinguished person to perform in Our Name, and on Our behalf, the ceremony of investiting persons admitted to this Order with the Badge of their dignity or those persons awarded the Medal of the Order; or
      2. to permit the ceremony of investiture to be dispensed with.
     
  50. Seal of the Order
    The Seal of this Order shall consist of a representation of the Sovereign’s Badge within the inscription “THE SEAL OF THE QUEEN’S SERVICE ORDER, TE WAITOHO O TE TOHU WHAKANUI RATONGA A TE KUINI” and all instruments of the Order, including this Warrant, shall be sealed by and with the same.
     
  51. Power reserved to alter Statutes
    We reserve to Ourselves, Our Heirs and Successors, full power of annulling, altering, abrogating, augmenting, interpreting or dispensing with this Or Warrant or any part thereof, by a notification under the Sign Manual of the Sovereign of this Order.
     

GIVEN under the Seal of Our Service Order at Our Court at Saint James’s, this
--------- day of -------------, Two Thousand and Five in the Fifty-fifth year of Our Reign.

 

BY HER MAJESTY’S COMMAND,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prime Minister of New Zealand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal Companion of
The Queen’s Service Order.