New Zealand Order of Merit

New Zealand Order of Merit
Badge of the Order
Awarded by Monarch of New Zealand
TypeNational order of merit
Established30 May 1996; 28 years ago (30 May 1996)
MottoFor Merit—Tohu Hiranga
EligibilityCitizens of Commonwealth realms
CriteriaMeritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits
StatusCurrently constituted
FounderElizabeth II
SovereignCharles III
ChancellorDame Cindy Kiro
Grades
  • Knight/Dame Grand Companion (GNZM)
  • Knight/Dame Companion (KNZM/DNZM)
  • Companion (CNZM)
  • Officer (ONZM)
  • Member (MNZM)
Statistics
Last induction3 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.

  1. ^ "New Zealand Royal Honours". Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Archived from the original on 4 May 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2013.