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The Order of New Zealand is the highest honour in New Zealand's royal honours system, created "to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity". It was instituted by royal warrant of 6 February 1987. The order is modelled on the British Order of Merit and Order of the Companions of Honour.
The badge of the Order of New Zealand is an oval medallion made of gold, with coloured enamels. A kōwhaiwhai pattern based on the koru (unfurling fern frond) surrounds the design of the shield from the New Zealand cost of arms. The ribbon features the colour of kōkōwai or red ochre, significant to Māori and also echoing the traditional use of red in heraldry. Men wear the badge round their necks, hanging from the ribbon. Women can choose to wear it that way or from a bow of ribbon pinned to the left breast. The badge is returned when a holder dies or leaves the order, and it is passed on to another appointee.
The order comprises the Sovereign and ordinary, additional and honorary members. The ordinary membership is limited to 20 living members, and at any time there may be fewer than 20. Additional members may be appointed to commemorate important royal, state or national occasions, and such appointments were made in 1990 for the 150th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi, in 2002 for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, in 2007 for the 20th anniversary of the institution of the Order, and in 2012 for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Honorary membership is for citizens of nations of which the Sovereign is not head of state. Members are entitled to the post-nominal letters "ONZ".
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