Queen's Service Order

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Buckle of the Queen's Service Order

The Queen's Service Order is a civil order of merit whose membership by the Government of New Zealand " for valuable volunteer service to the community or meritorious and faithful work for the Crown or similar services in the public sector, whether as Elected or Appointed " is awarded. It was created by Queen Elizabeth II , in her capacity as head of state on March 13, 1975 after a revision of the New Zealand award system the year before.

The bearers of the award are entitled to use the post-nominal QSO after their family name.

Order structure

The order has only one class. Members are called companions . The number of new members is limited to 50 people annually, but usually it is not more than 30. Members of the royal family can be appointed as an extra companion without counting the aforementioned numbers. People who are not citizens of New Zealand or a Commonwealth Realm can receive the medal on an honorary basis. Before 2005, a distinction was also made between the award for services in public life and for services to the community.

In addition, the order has various offices: The ruling monarch is the sovereign of the order, currently Queen Elizabeth II in her capacity as Queen of New Zealand. The Governor General of New Zealand is automatically a Principal Companion . Secretary and Registrar is the Secretary General of the Executive Council of New Zealand.

Medals

The medal is a stylized Manuka flower (magic myrtle, South Sea myrtle, New Zealand tea tree, botanically: Leptospermum scoparium ) with five petals. It contains a portrait of the ruling monarch, surrounded by a crowned red circle with the inscription "FOR SERVICE - MŌ NGA MAHI NUI" (German: "For merit" ). The ribbon bears the traditional poutama motif of the Māori : in the middle there are black-white-red diagonal stairs - symbolizing the steadily ascending humanity - and red stripes on both sides. The badge is worn either on the left lapel or on a ribbon that is attached to the left side of the shoulder in an arc.

Queen's Service Medal

There is also the Queen's Service Medal , which is associated with the order but is not an official part. This silver circular medal shows the image of the ruling monarch on the obverse and the coat of arms of New Zealand on the reverse. The pattern of the ribbon is the same as the Queen's Service Order. The medal was also awarded in two forms before 2005 for services in public life and services to the community. The number of annual awards is not limited here.

Structure and members

  • Officers:
    • Secretary and Registrar: Rebecca Kitteridge

See also

Web links