| New Zealand Order of Merit | |
|---|---|
 Badge of the Order | |
| Awarded by Monarch of New Zealand | |
| Type | National order of merit |
| Established | 30 May 1996 |
| Motto | For Merit—Tohu Hiranga |
| Eligibility | Citizens of Commonwealth realms |
| Criteria | Meritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Founder | Elizabeth II |
| Sovereign | Charles III |
| Chancellor | Dame Cindy Kiro |
| Grades |
|
| Statistics | |
| Last induction | 3 June 2024 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Order of New Zealand |
| Next (lower) | King's Service Order |
 Ribbon of the New Zealand Order of Merit | |
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of merit in the New Zealand royal honours system. It was established by royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand, "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] to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity.
In the order of precedence, the New Zealand Order of Merit ranks immediately after the Order of New Zealand.
- ^ "New Zealand Royal Honours". Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2013.