The New Zealand Royal Honours System
The Governor-General, on behalf of The Queen, holds investiture ceremonies for the people named in the New Year and Queen's Birthday Honours Lists and in Special Honours Lists from time to time.
New Zealand's highest honour is the Order of New Zealand, with a maximum ordinary membership of 20. The Order was instituted by Royal Warrant in 1987 and is awarded for "outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity".
The New Zealand Order of Merit was instituted by Royal Warrant in 1996 (updated in 2000). It is awarded to those "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". There are five classes to the Order: Principal Companion; Distinguished Companion; Companion; Officer; and Member. No more than 30 people may belong to the class of Principal Companion at any one time.
A third New Zealand honour is the Queen's Service Order and the associated Queen's Service Medal, which was instituted in Royal Warrant in 1975 (updated in 2007). It is awarded to those "who have rendered either, or both: valuable voluntary service to the community; or meritorious and faithful services to the Crown or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or appointed office".
The Governor-General, as Chancellor of the New Zealand Order of Merit and Principal Companion of the Queen's Service Order, holds investiture ceremonies at Government House, Wellington, and Government House, Auckland, twice a year.
The New Zealand Gallantry Awards recognise those military, and certain other categories of support personnel, who perform acts of gallantry while involved in war and operational service (including peacekeeping).
The New Zealand Bravery Awards recognise the actions of those persons who save or attempt to save the life of another person and in the course of which they place their own safety or life at risk.
Except for those honours that are in The Queen's personal gift, all awards are made on the advice of Ministers.
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