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Order of New Zealand
ONZ-FS-MF-WB-01-clearcut-v2.jpg
Badge of a Member of the Order of New Zealand (neck ribbon and bow)
Awarded by the Monarch of New Zealand
Type Order
Eligibility Subjects of the Crown
Awarded for Outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity
Status Currently constituted
Founder Elizabeth II
Sovereign Charles III
Grades Member (ONZ)
Statistics
First induction 6 February 1987
Last induction 5 June 2023
Total inductees 46 ordinary members
21 additional members
2 honorary members
Precedence
Next (higher) Order of Merit
Next (lower) New Zealand Order of Merit
Order of New Zealand ribbon.png
Ribbon of the Order of New Zealand

The Order of New Zealand is the highest award given in New Zealand. It was created to celebrate people who have done amazing things for New Zealand and its people. This special award was started on 6 February 1987. It is similar to other important awards like the British Order of Merit.

What is the Order of New Zealand?

The Order of New Zealand includes the King or Queen of New Zealand, plus different types of members.

Types of Members

  • Ordinary Members: There can only be 20 living ordinary members at one time. These are people who have shown great service to New Zealand.
  • Additional Members: Sometimes, extra members are chosen for special events. For example, new members were added in 1990 to celebrate 150 years since the Treaty of Waitangi. They were also added for the Queen's Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilees, and for King Charles III's coronation. These members have the same high status as ordinary members.
  • Honorary Members: These are people from other countries where the King or Queen of New Zealand is not their ruler.

When someone becomes a member, they can use the letters "ONZ" after their name. This shows they are part of this special group.

How Members are Chosen

The King or Queen of New Zealand chooses new members. They do this based on advice from the Prime Minister of New Zealand. A special document called a royal warrant makes the appointment official. The Order is managed by a Secretary and Registrar.

In 2023, famous rugby player Richie McCaw represented the Order at the coronation of King Charles III. He even took part in the procession!

What Does the Insignia Look Like?

Queen Elizabeth II of New Zealand (cropped)
Queen Elizabeth II wearing the special bow of the Order of New Zealand on her shoulder.

The award itself is a beautiful oval medal. It shows the coat of arms of New Zealand in gold and bright colours. Men wear this medal on a white and ochre (yellow-brown) ribbon around their neck. Women wear it on a bow pinned to their left shoulder.

Who are the Current Members?

The current leader of the Order is The King of New Zealand.

Here are some of the amazing people who are currently ordinary members:

Here are some of the additional members:

  • Sir Peter Jackson: The famous film director who made The Lord of the Rings movies.
  • Dame Malvina Major: Another celebrated opera singer.
  • Queen Camilla: The Queen of New Zealand.

The Secretary and Registrar of the Order is Rachel Hayward.

Images for kids

  • Arnold Nordmeyer (1954)

    Sir Arnold Nordmeyer, a former Minister of Finance.

  • Clarence Edward Beeby (crop)

    C. E. Beeby, an educationalist.

  • Te Atairangikaahu (1975)

    Dame Te Atairangikaahu, the Māori Queen.

  • Edmund Hillary, c. 1953, autograph removed

    Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to officially climb Mount Everest.

  • Jim Knox (crop)

    Jim Knox, a trade union leader.

  • Frederick Turnovsky

    Frederick Turnovsky, a manufacturer and arts leader.

  • June Blundell ONZ 2009 (cropped)

    June, Lady Blundell, a viceregal consort.

  • Whina Cooper in Hamilton

    Dame Whina Cooper, a significant Māori leader.

  • Jack Somerville 1948 (cropped)

    Jack Somerville, a Presbyterian leader.

  • Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan ONZ 2007 (cropped)

    Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan, a politician.

  • Margaret Mahy at the Kaiapoi Club, 27 July 2011, smiling (digitally altered)

    Margaret Mahy, a famous children's author.

  • Miriam Dell ONZ 2009 (cropped)

    Dame Miriam Dell, known for her work in women's welfare.

  • Sir Roy Allan McKenzie

    Sir Roy McKenzie, a philanthropist.

  • Miles Warren ONZ 2009 (cropped)

    Sir Miles Warren, an architect.

  • Cliff Whiting ONZ 2007 (cropped)

    Cliff Whiting, an artist.

  • Ken Douglas ONZ 2018 (cropped)

    Ken Douglas, a trade union leader.

  • New Zealand Ambassador Mike Moore Visits Governor 1 (cropped)

    Mike Moore, a former Prime Minister.

  • Tom Williams ONZ 2007 (cropped)

    Tom Williams, an Emeritus Catholic Archbishop.

  • Alan MacDiarmid 2005.017.004e crop

    Alan MacDiarmid, a Nobel Prize-winning chemist.

  • David Lange (1992)

    David Lange, a former Prime Minister.

  • Jonathan Hunt ONZ 2009 (cropped)

    Jonathan Hunt, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

  • Doreen Blumhardt ONZ 2007 (cropped)

    Dame Doreen Blumhardt, a ceramicist.

  • Murray Halberg ONZ 2009 (cropped)

    Sir Murray Halberg, an Olympic runner.

  • Ralph Hotere (cropped)

    Ralph Hotere, an artist.

  • Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother portrait

    Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, mother of Elizabeth II.

  • Janet Frame 1993 (cropped)

    Janet Frame, an author.

  • Arthur Lydiard

    Arthur Lydiard, an athletics coach.

  • Hugh Kawharu (cropped)

    Sir Hugh Kāwharu, a Māori leader.

  • Cath Tizard ONZ 2009 (cropped)

    Dame Catherine Tizard, a former Governor-General of New Zealand.

  • Paul Reeves ONZ 2009 (cropped)

    Sir Paul Reeves, an Anglican bishop and former Governor-General.

  • Owen Woodhouse ONZ 2009 (cropped)

    Sir Owen Woodhouse, a jurist.

  • Brian Lochore ONZ 2018 (cropped)

    Sir Brian Lochore, a rugby union player and coach.

  • Prince Phillip of Edinburgh

    Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, consort of Elizabeth II.

  • Bill Pickering 1964 (cropped)

    Bill Pickering, a rocket scientist.

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