View source for New Zealand Order of Merit

{{Short description|Royal order of merit in New Zealand}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox order
|title = New Zealand Order of Merit<br />{{nobold|{{lang|mi|Te Kāhui Tohu Hiranga}}}}
|image = [[File:New Zealand Order of Merit badge WP.svg|250px]]
|caption = Badge of the Order
|awarded_by = [[Monarch of New Zealand]]
|type = [[State order|National]] [[order of merit]]
|motto = For Merit—Tohu Hiranga
|day =
|eligibility = Citizens of [[Commonwealth realm]]s
|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]]
|head_title = Sovereign
|head = [[Charles III]]
|head2_title = Chancellor
|head2 = [[Cindy Kiro|Dame Cindy Kiro]]
|grades =
{{plainlist|
*Knight/Dame Grand Companion (GNZM)
*Knight/Dame Companion (KNZM/DNZM)
*Companion (CNZM)
*Officer (ONZM)
*Member (MNZM)
}}
|established = {{launch date and age|30 May 1996}}
|first_induction = 
|last_induction = [[2025 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|2 June 2025]]
|total = 
|recipients = 
|individual =
| higher = [[Order of New Zealand]]
| lower = [[King's Service Order]]
| image2           = [[File:New Zealand Order of Merit ribbon.svg|100px]]
| caption2         = Ribbon of the New Zealand Order of Merit
}}

The '''New Zealand Order of Merit''' ({{langx|mi|Te Kāhui Tohu Hiranga}}<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html Statutes of the New Zealand Order of Merit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510205935/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html |date=10 May 2021 }} (SR 1996/205), reg 58</ref>) is an [[order of merit]] in the [[New Zealand royal honours system]]. It was established by [[royal warrant (document)|royal warrant]] on 30 May 1996 by [[Elizabeth II]], [[Monarchy of New Zealand|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",<ref name="dpmconzm">{{cite web |url=http://gg.govt.nz/honours |title=New Zealand Royal Honours |publisher=Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=21 August 2013 |archive-date=4 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504050808/https://gg.govt.nz/honours |url-status=live }}</ref> to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity.

In the [[New Zealand order of precedence|order of precedence]], the New Zealand Order of Merit ranks immediately after the [[Order of New Zealand]].

==Creation==
Prior to 1996, New Zealanders received appointments to various British orders, such as the [[Order of the Bath]], the [[Order of St Michael and St George]], the [[Order of the British Empire]], and the [[Order of the Companions of Honour]], as well as the distinction of [[Knight Bachelor]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Prime Minister's Office |url=http://www.executive.govt.nz/93-96/minister/pm/pmn0205.htm |title=The New Zealand Order of Merit |publisher=New Zealand Executive Government News Release Archive |date=2 May 1996 |access-date=22 February 2006 |archive-date=1 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701173059/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The change came about after the Prime Minister's Honours Advisory Committee (1995) was created "to consider and present options and suggestions on the structure of a New Zealand Royal Honours System in New Zealand, which is designed to recognise meritorious service, gallantry and bravery and long service".<ref name=review/><!--See Report of the Prime Minister's Honours Advisory Committee, September 1995-->

==Composition==
[[Image:David Ledon at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.jpg|thumb|180px|Rear Admiral [[David Ledson]], ONZM, RNZN, wearing the medal for Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.]]

The monarch of New Zealand is the Sovereign of the order and the governor-general is its Chancellor. Appointments are made at five levels: 
*'''Knight''' or '''Dame Grand Companion''' (GNZM)
*'''Knight''' or '''Dame Companion''' (KNZM or DNZM)
*'''Companion''' (CNZM)
*'''Officer''' (ONZM)
*'''Member''' (MNZM).

From 2000 to 2009, the two highest levels of the Order were renamed '''Principal Companion''' (PCNZM) and '''Distinguished Companion''' (DCNZM), without the appellation of "Sir" or "Dame".<ref name="onzmadditionalstatutes">{{cite web|url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2000/0084/latest/DLM4467.html|title=Additional Statutes of The New Zealand Order of Merit (SR 2000/84)|website=NZ Parliamentary Counsel Office|access-date=15 October 2016|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125152050/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2000/0084/latest/DLM4467.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="discontinued">{{cite news|url=http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/news/articles/1999-2003/20000410.html|title=Titles discontinued|website=New Zealand Defence Force|date=10 April 2000|access-date=5 July 2016|archive-date=21 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121135239/http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/news/articles/1999-2003/20000410.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The number of Knights and Dames Grand Companion (and Principal Companions) is limited to 30 living people. Additionally, new appointments are limited to 15 Knights or Dames Companion, 40 Companions, 80 Officers and 140 Members per year.<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html Statutes of the New Zealand Order of Merit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510205935/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html |date=10 May 2021 }} (SR 1996/205), reg 9</ref>

As well as the five levels, there are three different types of membership. Ordinary membership is limited to citizens of New Zealand or a [[Commonwealth realm]]. "Additional" members, appointed on special occasions, are not counted in the numerical limits. People who are not citizens of a Commonwealth realm are given "Honorary" membership; if they subsequently adopt citizenship of a Commonwealth realm they are eligible for Additional membership.<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html Statutes of the New Zealand Order of Merit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510205935/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html |date=10 May 2021 }} (SR 1996/205), regs 6–11</ref>

There is also a Secretary and Registrar (the Clerk of the Executive Council) and a Herald (the New Zealand Herald of Arms) of the Order.

==Insignia and other distinctions==
[[File:NZM Order of Merit composite-v2.jpg|thumb|Insignia of the New Zealand Order of Merit]]

*The ''Collar'', worn only by the Sovereign and Chancellor, comprises "links of the central medallion of the badge" and S-shaped [[Koru]], with the coat of arms of New Zealand in centre. Hanging from the coat of arms is the badge of the Order.
* The ''Star'' is an eight-pointed star with each arm bearing a representation of a fern frond, with the Order's badge superimposed in the centre. Grand Companions wear a gold star and Knight Companions wear a silver star.
* The ''Badge'' for the three highest classes is a gold and white enamel cross with curved edges bearing at its centre the coat of arms of New Zealand within a green enamel ring bearing the motto ''For Merit Tohu Hiranga'', topped by a royal crown. The badge for Officers and Members is similar, but in silver-gilt and silver respectively. Grand Companions wear the badge on a sash over the right shoulder (though the Governor-General usually wears it as a neck decoration in lieu of the Collar); Knight Companions and Companions wear the badge on a neck ribbon (men) or a bow on the left shoulder (women). Officers and Members wear the badge from a ribbon on the left lapel (men) or a bow on the left shoulder (women).
* The ''ribbon'' and ''sash'' are plain red ochre.

There also exist miniatures and lapel badges of the five levels of the New Zealand Order of Merit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/image-galleries/2468/media?page=9 |title=Insignia of the New Zealand Order of Merit |access-date=30 April 2022 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916114912/https://dpmc.govt.nz/image-galleries/2468/media?page=9 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Knight/Dames Grand Companion and Knight/Dames Companion are entitled to use the style ''[[Sir]]'' for males and ''[[Dame (title)|Dame]]'' for females.

The order's statutes grant heraldic privileges to members of the first and second level, who are entitled to have the Order's circlet ("a green circle, edged gold, and inscribed with the Motto of the Order in gold") surrounding their shield. Grand Companions are also entitled to heraldic [[supporters]]. The Chancellor is entitled to supporters and a representation of the Collar of the Order around his/her shield.<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html Statutes of the New Zealand Order of Merit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510205935/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html |date=10 May 2021 }} (SR 1996/205), reg 50</ref>

==Office holders==
* '''Sovereign''': [[Charles III]]<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html Statutes of the New Zealand Order of Merit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510205935/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html |date=10 May 2021 }} (SR 1996/205), reg 4</ref>
* '''Chancellor and Principal Dame Grand Companion''': The [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]], [[Dame Cindy Kiro]] (21 October 2021)<ref>[http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html Statutes of the New Zealand Order of Merit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510205935/https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/1996/0205/latest/DLM216686.html |date=10 May 2021 }} (SR 1996/205), reg 5</ref>
* '''Secretary and Registrar''': [[Rachel Hayward (public servant)|Rachel Hayward]] (28 November 2022)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-vr5321 |title=The Order of New Zealand / The New Zealand Order of Merit / The Queen’s Service Order |date=6 December 2022 |work=[[New Zealand Gazette]] |access-date=14 December 2022 |archive-date=14 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214100518/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-vr5321 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* '''Herald''': [[Phillip O'Shea]] {{post-nominals|country=NZL|CNZM|CVO|KStJ}} (23 September 1996)<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/1996-vr6205 |title=The New Zealand Order of Merit |date=26 September 1996 |issue=130 |journal=[[New Zealand Gazette]] |page=3198 |access-date=30 September 2016 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515171903/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/1996-vr6205 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Living grand and principal companions==
{| class="wikitable"
|-a
! No. !! Name !! Portrait !! Honour !! Date of appointment !! Known for !! Present age
|- 
| 1 || [[Bill Birch|Sir William Birch]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx|PC|JP}} || [[File:Bill Birch.jpg|60px]] || Knight Grand Companion || [[1999 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|7 June 1999]] || 38th Minister of Finance || align=center | {{age|1934|04|09}}
|-
| 2 || [[Sian Elias|Dame Sian Elias]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx|KC|PC}} || [[File:Sian Elias 2016 (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Dame Grand Companion || [[1999 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|7 June 1999]] || 12th Chief Justice of New Zealand || align=center | {{age|1949|03|13}}
|-
| 3 || [[Lloyd Geering|Sir Lloyd Geering]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|ONZ|GNZMx|CBE}} || [[File:Lloyd Geering 2020 (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Knight Grand Companion || [[2001 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|30 December 2000]] || Theological scholar || align=center | {{age|1918|02|26}}
|- 
| 4 || [[Malvina Major|Dame Malvina Major]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|ONZ|GNZMx|DBE}} || [[File:Malvina Major (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Dame Grand Companion || [[2008 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|31 December 2007]] || Opera singer || align=center | {{age|1943|01|28}}
|-
| 5 || [[Ray Avery (scientist)|Sir Ray Avery]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx}} || [[File:Ray Avery (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Knight Grand Companion || [[2011 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|31 December 2010]] || Pharmaceutical scientist || align=center | {{age|1947|01|01}}
|-
| 6 || [[Murray Brennan|Sir Murray Brennan]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx}} || [[File:Murray Brennan (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Knight Grand Companion || [[2015 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|31 December 2014]] || Surgeon, cancer researcher & medical academic || align=center | {{age|1940|04|02}}
|-
| 7 || [[John Key|Sir John Key]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx}} {{post-nominals|country=AUS|ACh}} || [[File:John Key GNZM (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Knight Grand Companion || [[2017 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|5 June 2017]] || 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand || align=center | {{age|1961|08|09}}
|-
| 8 || [[Stephen Tindall|Sir Stephen Tindall]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx}} || [[File:Stephen Tindall GNZM (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Knight Grand Companion || [[2019 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|31 December 2018]] || Businessman and philanthropist || align=center | {{age|1951|05|01}}
|-
| 9 || [[Jacinda Ardern|Dame Jacinda Ardern]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx|size=85%}} || [[File:Jacinda Ardern May 2022.jpg|60px]] || Dame Grand Companion || [[2023 Birthday and Coronation Honours (New Zealand)|5 June 2023]] || 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand || align=center | {{age|1980|7|26}}
|-
! colspan=7  | Additional appointments
|- 
| || [[Silvia Cartwright|Dame Silvia Cartwright]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|ONZ|PCNZMx|DBE|QSO|DStJ}} || [[File:Silvia Cartwright 2017 (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Principal Companion || [[2001 Special Honours (New Zealand)|20 March 2001]] || Former [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] || align=center | {{age|1943|11|07}}
|- 
|  || [[Anand Satyanand|Sir Anand Satyanand]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx|QSO|KStJ}} || [[File:Anand Satyanand official photo (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Knight Grand Companion || [[2006 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|5 June 2006]] || Former [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] || align=center | {{age|1944|07|22}}
|- 
|  || [[Jerry Mateparae|Sir Jerry Mateparae]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx|QSO|KStJ}} || [[File:Jerry Mateparae official photo (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Knight Grand Companion || [[2011 Special Honours (New Zealand)|20 May 2011]] || Former [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] || align=center | {{age|1954|11|14}}
|- 
|  || [[Patsy Reddy|Dame Patsy Reddy]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx|CVO|QSO|DStJ}} || [[File:Patsy Reddy in May 2019.jpg|60px]] || Dame Grand Companion || [[2016 Special Honours (New Zealand)|27 June 2016]] || Former [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] || align=center | {{age|1954|05|17}}
|-
|  || [[Helen Winkelmann|Dame Helen Winkelmann]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx}} || [[File:Helen Winkelmann GNZM (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Dame Grand Companion || [[2019 Special Honours (New Zealand)|4 March 2019]] || 13th Chief Justice of New Zealand || align=center | {{age|1962|00|00}}
|-
|  || [[Cindy Kiro|Dame Cindy Kiro]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|GNZMx|QSO|DStJ}} || [[File:Cindy Kiro DNZM (cropped).jpg|60px]] || Dame Grand Companion || [[2021 Special Honours (New Zealand)|9 August 2021]] || [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] || align=center | {{age|1958|00|00}}
|}

==Living distinguished companions==
The following contains the names of the small number of living Distinguished Companions (DCNZM) who chose not to convert their appointment to a Knight or Dame Companion, and thus not to accept the respective appellation of "Sir" or "Dame". The majority of those affected chose the aforereferenced appellations. After initially declining redesignation in 2009, [[Vincent O'Sullivan (New Zealand writer)|Vincent O'Sullivan]] and [[Sam Neill]] accepted the change in December 2021 and June 2022, respectively.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2021-vr5541 |title=Redesignation in the New Zealand Order of Merit |date=21 December 2021 |work=New Zealand Gazette |access-date=23 December 2021 |archive-date=22 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222202207/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2021-vr5541 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-vr2365 |title=Redesignation in the New Zealand Order of Merit |date=14 June 2022 |work=New Zealand Gazette |access-date=14 June 2022 |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615000201/https://gazette.govt.nz/notice/id/2022-vr2365 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-a
! Name !! Portrait !! Date of appointment !! Known for !! Present age
|-
| [[Witi Ihimaera]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|DCNZMx|QSM}} || [[File:Witi Ihimaera (cropped).jpg|60px]] || [[2004 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|7 June 2004]] || Writer || align=center | {{age|1943|01|28}}
|-
| [[Penny Jamieson]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|DCNZMx}} ||  || [[2004 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|7 June 2004]]|| Former Bishop of Dunedin || align=center | {{age|1942|06|21}}
|- 
| [[Joy Cowley]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|ONZx|DCNZMx|OBE}} || [[File:Joy·Cowley•Frankfurt·2012•Lisa·Gardiner.jpg|60px]] || [[2005 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|6 June 2005]] || Writer || align=center | {{age|1936|08|07}}
|-
| [[Patricia Grace]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|DCNZMx|QSO}} || [[File:Patricia Grace 2016 (tight crop).jpg|Patricia Grace|60px]] || [[2007 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|4 June 2007]] || Writer || align=center | {{age|1937|01|01}}
|-
| [[Margaret Wilson]]<br>{{post-nominals|country=NZL|DCNZMx}} || [[File:Margaret Wilson crop.jpg|60px]] || [[2009 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|31 December 2008]] || Former Speaker of Parliament || align=center | {{age|1947|05|20}}
|}

==Controversy==
A change to non-titular honours was a recommendation contained within the original report of the 1995 honours committee (''The New Zealand Royal Honours System: The Report of the Prime Minister’s Honours Advisory Committee'') which prompted the creation of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Titular honours were incorporated into the new system before its implementation in 1996 after the [[National Party of New Zealand|National Party]] caucus and public debate were split as to whether titles should be retained.<ref name=review>{{cite journal |url=http://www.geocities.com/noelcox/Review_of_Honours.htm |title=The Review of the New Zealand Royal Honours System |year=1997 |issue=75 |journal=New Zealand Numismatic Journal, Proceedings of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand |pages=17–21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027170354/http://www.geocities.com/noelcox/Review_of_Honours.htm |archive-date=27 October 2009}}</ref>

There has long been debate in New Zealand regarding the appropriateness of titles. Some feel it is no longer appropriate as New Zealand has not been a colony since 1907, and to these people titles are out of step with present-day New Zealand. Others feel that titles carry both domestic and international recognition, and that awarded on the basis of merit they remain an appropriate recognition of excellence.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}

In April 2000 the then new [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] Prime Minister, [[Helen Clark]], announced that knighthoods and damehoods had been abolished and the order's statutes amended. From 2000 to 2009, the two highest levels of the Order were Principal Companion (PCNZM) and Distinguished Companion (DCNZM), without the appellation of "Sir" or "Dame"; appointment to all levels of the Order were recognised solely by the use of post-nominal letters.<ref name="onzmadditionalstatutes"/><ref name="discontinued"/>

A ''[[National Business Review]]''<ref name="poll-honours">[[National Business Review]] 24 March 2000</ref> poll in February 2000 revealed that 54% of New Zealanders thought the titles should be scrapped. The Labour Government's April 2000 changes were criticised by opposition parties, with [[Richard Prebble]] of the [[ACT New Zealand]] party deriding the PCNZM's initials as standing for "a [[political correctness|Politically Correct]] New Zealand that used to be a Monarchy".

The issue of titular honours would appear whenever honours were mentioned. In the lead up to the [[2005 New Zealand general election|2005 general election]], [[Leader of the Opposition (New Zealand)|Leader of the Opposition]] [[Don Brash]] suggested that should a National-led government be elected, he would reverse Labour's changes and re-introduce knighthoods.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Milne |first1=Jonathan |last2=Spratt |first2=Amanda |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10343935 |title=Brash plans to bring back knighthoods |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=5 September 2005 |access-date=15 June 2006 |archive-date=25 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225230639/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2009, Prime Minister [[John Key]] (later to become a Knight Grand Companion himself) restored the honours to their pre-April 2000 state. Principal Companions and Distinguished Companions (85 people in total) were given the option to convert their awards into Knighthoods or Damehoods.<ref>{{cite news |author=Prime Minister's Office |url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/titular+honours+be+reinstated |title=Titular Honours to be reinstated |publisher=New Zealand Government |date=8 March 2009 |access-date=8 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522021249/http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/titular+honours+be+reinstated |archive-date=22 May 2010 }}</ref> The restoration was welcomed by [[Monarchy New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/cox_nz/150309.htm |title=Press Release – Knighthoods restored |website=[[Monarchist League of New Zealand]] |date=15 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807101154/http://geocities.com/cox_nz/150309.htm |archive-date=7 August 2009}}</ref> The option has been taken up by 72 of those affected, including rugby great [[Colin Meads]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/2404830/Colin-Pinetree-Meads-to-take-knighthood |title=Colin 'Pinetree' Meads to take knighthood |website=[[NZPA]] |date=12 May 2009 |access-date=22 July 2009 |archive-date=8 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108111255/http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/2404830/Colin-Pinetree-Meads-to-take-knighthood |url-status=live }}</ref> Former Labour MP [[Margaret Shields]] was one of those who accepted a Damehood, despite receiving a letter from former Prime Minister Helen Clark "setting out why Labour had abolished the titles and saying she hoped she would not accept one".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10590716 |title=Helen Clark Loses: Ex-Labour MP takes Title |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=14 August 2009 |first=Audrey |last=Young |access-date=28 August 2009 |archive-date=25 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225062605/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10590716 |url-status=live }}</ref> Clark's senior deputy, [[Michael Cullen (politician)|Michael Cullen]], also accepted a knighthood.

Appointments continued when Labour returned to government in 2017 as the [[Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand|Sixth Labour Government]]. The [[2018 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|2018 New Year Honours]] included seven knights and dames. The government did not comment on its position regarding knighthoods and damehoods, but Prime Minister [[Jacinda Ardern]] did specifically congratulate two women on becoming Dames Companion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://community.scoop.co.nz/2017/12/prime-minister-congratulates-honours-recipients/ |title=Prime Minister congratulates Honours recipients |access-date=16 January 2018 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028054532/https://community.scoop.co.nz/2017/12/prime-minister-congratulates-honours-recipients/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On leaving office in 2023, Ardern accepted appointment as a Dame Grand Companion, formally receiving investiture in 2024 from [[William, Prince of Wales|Prince William]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2024 |title=Jacinda Ardern receives Damehood from Prince William |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/531019/jacinda-ardern-receives-damehood-from-prince-william |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[2009 Special Honours (New Zealand)]]
* [[List of grand and principal companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit]]
* [[Living New Zealand dames and knights]]
* [[New Zealand campaign medals]]
* [[New Zealand royal honours system]]
* [[Orders, decorations, and medals of the Commonwealth realms]]
* [[Order of Australia]]
* [[Order of Canada]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Subject bar|auto=y|d=y}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130504135917/http://www.honours.govt.nz/honours/overview/nzom The New Zealand Order of Merit] at ''Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet''. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
* [http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/b/b4.html NZDF Medals – The New Zealand Order of Merit] (Images)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070403173626/http://gpacts.knowledge-basket.co.nz/regs/regs/text/1996/1996205.txt Statutes of the New Zealand Order of Merit] by Royal Warrant of 30 May 1996 (SR 1996/205). Retrieved 22 February 2006.
* [http://www.medals.org.uk/new-zealand/new-zealand002.htm ODM – New Zealand Order of Merit] (Images)

{{NZ Orders}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:New Zealand Order of Merit}}
[[Category:New Zealand Order of Merit| ]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Civil awards and decorations of New Zealand|Order of Merit]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1996]]