- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Year of Institution: 13 March 1975
- Country: New Zealand
The Queen’s Service Order, established through a royal warrant by Queen Elizabeth II on March 13, 1975, serves as a means of acknowledging “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.“
This order emerged following a comprehensive evaluation of New Zealand’s honors system in 1974, effectively supplanting the Imperial Service Order in New Zealand.
The name of this Order reflects the historical significance of Queen Elizabeth II as the inaugural monarch officially designated as the Queen of New Zealand. The monarch of New Zealand is the Sovereign Head of the order and those who are appointed as members are “Companions“.
The New Zealand Queen’s Service Order Design
The emblem of this order features a stylized mānuka flower characterized by five petals, within which lies the likeness of the reigning monarch encircled by a red border bearing the words “FOR SERVICE — MŌ NGA MAHI NUI,” topped by a crown.
The ribbon showcases a traditional Māori Poutama pattern, consisting of black, white, and red diagonal ‘steps,’ symbolizing human growth and perpetual striving upwards. Red stripes line each edge of the ribbon.
Wearers display the insignia on the left lapel of their coat, and women opt to wear it as a ribbon fashioned into a bow on their left shoulder. When in uniform, women adopt the male fashion of displaying the QSO.
