The New Zealand Royal Honours system is a uniquely New Zealand system that is administered by the Honours Unit.

Anyone can nominate a person they think is worthy of a New Zealand Royal Honour but only exceptional people are honoured. Anyone, based anywhere in the world that meets the criteria, can be nominated for a New Zealand Honour, but you can’t nominate yourself. 

We help families, organisations and individuals to put forward a comprehensive, accurate and in-depth presentation of their nominee’s achievements in order to give them the best chance of getting the recognition they deserve. 

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NZ Honours Nominations

You don’t have to be a citizen of New Zealand to be nominated for a New Zealand Honour.

Nominees who are not New Zealand citizens should be contributing or achieving while resident in New Zealand, or if living overseas a nomination should demonstrate how the nominee has benefitted New Zealand as a country or helped New Zealanders overseas. Support letters add depth to the nomination and validate the nominee’s character and achievements.

You can’t nominate yourself but you can nominate a family member. However, in these cases, we emphasise also sourcing letters of support from other people not related to the nominee who is familiar with their contributions and achievements. A total of around 800 to 1000 nominations are considered each year.

Honours Selection Process

The Prime Minister makes the final decision on who will receive a New Zealand Royal Honour and what level of honour will be awarded. The King of New Zealand approves the final honours lists.

Nomination forms are accepted throughout the year, but the processing and consideration of nominations is likely to take at least six months prior to the announcement of an honours list on the King’s Birthday or New Year.

The nominator will receive a letter from the Honours Unit letting them know they have received their nomination and informing them of the list for which the nominee will be considered. If the nomination is successful, nominees are formally asked by the Governor-General, on behalf of The King, whether they accept or decline the proposed honour.

About The NZ Honours System

The New Zealand Royal Honours system is made up of the Order of New Zealand, the New Zealand Order of Merit, the Queen’s Service Order and associated Queen’s Service Medal, the New Zealand Bravery and Gallantry Awards, the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration, and the New Zealand Antarctic Medal.

People who have received a New Zealand Honour can be considered for higher honours.

A nomination for higher honours must show how the person has gone above and beyond the contributions for which they have already been recognised, and/or how the nominee has made significant contributions in a new field since their existing honour. As a general rule, it should be at least five years since the person received their existing honour.

“Keith has been patient, thorough, professional and has produced an account of 25 years of work in a matter of weeks. He has tirelessly comprehended vast amounts of information and has produced what I believe, an accurate depiction of my achievements. An excellent listener and has navigated through my story beautifully. I can’t thank them enough.”

Royal Honours Client, April 2024

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Our guide to royal honours sets out how our services work, our approach to crafting an honours nomination, and how our globally recognised experts will give you the best chance of success.

About The New Zealand Honours Nomination Process

Nomination forms are accepted throughout the year, but the processing and consideration of nominations is likely to take at least six months prior to the announcement of an honours list at King’s Birthday or New Year.

The nominator will receive a letter from the Honours Unit letting them know they have received his nomination, and informing them of the list for which the nominee will be considered. There are four main sections in the nomination form:

  1. Describe the service and achievements of the nominee
  2. Describe the contribution the nominee has made to one or more of the following; their local community, their region, New Zealand as a whole, and/or internationally
  3. Describe what makes the nominee’s service and achievements stand out above and beyond that of their peers, or above and beyond what might reasonably be expected as part of their paid employment
  4. Describe how the nominee’s service and achievements are regarded by their colleagues, and whether they have been formally recognised by their colleagues or through other awards (e.g. life membership of an organisation, honorary doctorate, etc.)
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New Zealand Honours FAQs

Below are answers to the most commonly asked questions about New Zealand Honours nominations and the awards process. If you have a question that isn’t addressed here, please contact our team.

How do I nominate someone for an honour?

Awards Intelligence can help you nominate someone for a New Zealand Honours award by professionally handling the whole nomination process for you.

We help families, organisations and individuals to put forward a comprehensive, accurate and in-depth presentation of their nominee’s achievements in order to give them the best chance of getting the recognition they deserve.

We go to great lengths to ensure that your nomination is as compelling as possible. In fact, on average our experts spend over 150 hours, the equivalent of around 20 working days, purely on researching and drafting a nomination.

 

When are New Zealand Royal Honours announced?

Honours lists are published at New Year, on the New Zealand observance of The King’s Birthday, and in Special Lists (e.g. for gallantry and bravery awards) as required.

What are the different levels of the New Zealand Honours system?

The New Zealand Honours system has five distinct levels:

  • Dames and Knights Grand Companions
  • Dames and Knights Companions
  • Companions
  • Officers
  • Members

What happens if a nomination for a New Zealand honour is successful?

If the nomination is successful, nominees are formally asked by the Governor-General, on behalf of The King, whether they accept or decline the proposed honour.

Can I nominate someone who is about to retire?

Nominations should be made while the nominee is still active and, if possible, at least 12 months before they are expected to retire or stand down.

The Honours Unit must be notified immediately if the nominee dies. It is not possible for a posthumous award to be made – except for Gallantry or Bravery Awards.

 

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