The Queen's Service Order was established by Queen Elizabeth II on 13 March 1975. It is a New Zealand Order awarded for "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", excepting military service. This Order effectively replaced the Imperial Service Order in New Zealand during a review of the New Zealand Honours System in 1974.
Both men and women are eligible for this order (in Public and Community Service divisions), and receipients of this one-class order are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "QSO". Members of the Order are styled "Companion". "Extra" and "Additional" Companions can be added to the membership in the case of members of the Royal Family and former Governors-General, respectively.
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 indicating the division of the Order for which it was awarded (i e For Public Service or For Community Service). This circle is royally crowned. The ribbon has black and white diagonal 'steps' in the centre with red stripes along each edge of the ribbon. Men wear the insignia as they would with other state decorations whereas women wear the badge on 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 is also awarded in the same two divisions as the Order.
Important Members and Officers
See also
External link
Last updated: 05-09-2005 14:28:28
