Queen's Service Order

The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975, awarded by the government of New Zealand "for 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 was created after a review of New Zealand's honours system in 1974.

Receipients of this award are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "QSO", and are styled "companion". Members of the Royal Family can be named "extra companions". Before 2005, awards were distinguished between those made for "public" and "community service".

The insignia of the order is a stylised manuka flower with five petals, which contains the effigy of the reigning monarch surrounded by a red circle inscribed "FOR SERVICE — MŌ NGA MAHI NUI," crowned at the top. The ribbon has a traditional Maori motif of black, white and red diagonal 'steps' in the centre with red stripes along each edge of the ribbon. The insignia is worn on the left lapel of the coat or from a ribbon tied in a bow at the left shoulder.

There is also a related Queen's Service Medal, which is a silver circular medal bearing the effigy of the reigning monarch on the obverse, and the Coat of Arms of New Zealand on the reverse. The ribbon or bow pattern is the same as the Queen's Service Order. The medal, before 2005, was also awarded for "public" and "community service".

Important Members and Officers

*Sovereign: HM The Queen
*Principal Companion: HE Hon. Anand Satyanand PCNZM QSO (2006)
*Extra Companions:
**HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT OM GBE AC QSO CD PC (1981)
**HRH The Prince of Wales KG KT GCB OM AK QSO PC ADC (1983)
**HRH The Princess Royal LG LT GCVO QSO (1990)
*Officers:
**Secretary and Registrar: Rebecca Kitteridge (Clerk of the Executive Council of New Zealand)

ee also

* British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
* New Zealand Honours System

External links

* [http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/overview/qso.html Official Site] , has images of the various insignia.
* [http://www.beehive.govt.nz/ViewDocument.aspx?DocumentID=29454 "Changes to QSO and QSM Honours affect Gov Gen"] , New Zealand Government press release (21 May 2007).
* [http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/overview/qso-warrant.html Warrant under the Order's seal] reconstiuting the Order.