CNZM
| New Zealand Order of Merit | |
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Badge of the Order
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| Awarded by the monarch of New Zealand |
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| Type | National Order |
| Motto | For Merit—Tohu Hiranga |
| Eligibility | Citizens of Commonwealth realms |
| Awarded for | Meritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits |
| Status | Currently constituted |
| Sovereign | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Chancellor | Dame Patsy Reddy |
| Grades |
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| Statistics | |
| Established | 30 May 1996 |
| Last induction | 2017 New Year Honours |
 Ribbon of the New Zealand Order of Merit |
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The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of chivalry in New Zealand's honours system. It was established by royal warrant on 30 May 1996 by Elizabeth II, 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", to recognise outstanding service to the Crown and people of New Zealand in a civil or military capacity.
In the order of precedence, the New Zealand Order of Merit ranks immediately after the Order of New Zealand.
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. 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".
The monarch of New Zealand is the Sovereign of the order and the Governor-General is its Chancellor. Appointments are made into five grades: Knight or Dame Grand Companion (GNZM), Knight or Dame Companion (KNZM or DNZM), Companion (CNZM), Officer (ONZM), and Member (MNZM).
The number of Knights and Dames Grand Companion (and Principal Companions) is limited to 30 living people. Additionally, new appointments are limited to 15 Knight Companions, 40 Companions, 80 Officers and 140 Members per year.
As well as the five grades, there are three 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.
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