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Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM)

Overview

The Companion (GNZM) is the third of five levels in the New Zealand Order of Merit.  Instituted in 1996, the New Zealand Order of Merit includes the Knight or Dame Grand Companion (GNZM), Knight or Dame Companion (KNZM / DNZM), Companion (CNZM), Officer (ONZM) and Member (MNZM). Those appointed to the highest two levels are entitled to use the titles ‘Sir' or ‘Dame'.

The award of titles was discontinued in 2000, but was reinstated in 2009.  When the use of titles was discontinued in 2000 the highest two levels were renamed. The highest level became Principal Companion (PCNZM), rather than Knight or Dame Grand Companion (GNZM). The second highest level was renamed Distinguished Companion (DCNZM); rather than Knight or Dame Companion (KNZM / DNZM). In June 2009 the highest two levels changed back to Knight or Dame Grand Companion (GNZM) and Knight or Dame Companion (KNZM / DNZM).

Description

The Badge for the three highest classes of the New Zealand Order of Merit is a gold and white enamel cross with curved edges bearing at its centre the coat of arms of New Zealand, surmounted by a Royal Crown and encircled by the motto For Merit Tohu Hiranga. 

Members have the privilege of adding the letters C.N.Z.M after their names.

Eligibility

Appointments to the New Zealand Order of Merit are made for meritorious service to the Crown or the nation and to those who have become distinguished in their particular field of endeavour. For full details:

The Statutes of the Order of Merit(external link)

Recipients

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet maintains a list of recipients. For more details:

See the up to date list of recipients(external link)

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this honour

    The Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit 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:

  • 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)

  • 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 form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record