New Zealand royal honours system

The New Zealand royal honours system, a system of orders, decorations and medals, recognises achievements of, or service by, New Zealanders or others in connection with New Zealand. Until 1975, New Zealand used the British honours system. Since then the country has introduced a number of uniquely New Zealand honours, and as of 2021^[update], only the dynastic British honours continue in active use in New Zealand, with the exception of the Order of the Companions of Honour (Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, a New Zealand soprano, was given the award in 2018).

The New Zealand royal honours comprise the Order of New Zealand, the New Zealand Order of Merit, the Queen's Service Order, Queen's Service Medal, New Zealand bravery awards, New Zealand gallantry awards, the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration and the New Zealand Antarctic Medal.^[1]

The monarch of New Zealand awards honours on ministerial advice. However, certain awards remain in the exclusive gift of the monarch.^[2]

The Honours Unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet administers the New Zealand honours system.^[3]