Companion of the King's Service Order (KSO)
Overview
The King's Service Order was originally instituted as the Queen's Service Order in 1975 to supplement British honours and renamed in 2024. It's a single-class New Zealand Order restricted to no more than 30 appointments each year. It arose out of a desire to recognise voluntary service to the community and service through elected and appointed office.
Between 1975 and May 2007, the QSO was divided into two sub-divisions: “for Community Service” to recognise voluntary service to the community, and “for Public Services” to recognise service through elected and appointed office. This distinction was removed on 21 May 2007.
Description
The badge of the Order is a stylised representation of a manuka flower with five large and small petals in frosted Sterling silver. The crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II sits at the centre encircled by a ring of red enamel surmounted by a Royal crown. The full name of the appointee is engraved on the reverse of the badge.
The ribbon has narrow red ochre (kokowhai) edges with a centre of alternating stripes of red ochre, white and black in a descending step pattern from left to right. The design is based on the Maori Poutama (stepped) pattern used in Tukutuku wall panels. It is usually interpreted as the “stairway to heaven,” but in this case alludes to “steps of service.”
Persons appointed to the QSO are styled "Companions", and are entitled to use the post nominal letters Q.S.O after their names.
Eligibility
Individuals eligible to be admitted as Companions of the Order must have provided valuable voluntary service to the community or meritorious and faithful service to the Crown, or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or appointed office.
Military personnel are not eligible for appointment to this Order as a result of their military service, however, community service performed in a civilian capacity can be recognised.
For full details:
The Royal Warrant for the King's Service Order(external link)
The Royal Warrant for the Queen's Service Order(external link)
Queries & requests
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Wearing this honour
The Companion of the King's Service Order is worn with Orders of Chivalry and Other Orders in the New Zealand Order of Wear.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
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Nominating someone for this honour
Current serving NZDF personnel may complete an MD592 and submit the form through Single Service chains of command. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Nominations for ex-serving personnel or civilians may be made by completing a nomination form and forwarding it to the Honours Unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. In-depth guidelines for making a nomination and the nomination form are available for download on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.
For guidelines and documentation to make a nomination see:
Guide to Nominations for a New Zealand honour(external link)
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Checking if this honour was awarded
Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record. NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.
Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by filling out the form on the Service Record page.