New Zealand Public Service Medal

The New Zealand Public Service Medal (Māori:Te Tohu Ratonga Tūmatanui o Aotearoa) is a meritorious service award of the New Zealand Royal Honours System. The medal may be awarded to members of public service who serve in a department under the State Services Commission. Established by royal warrant on 19 July 2018, it was first awarded on 6 November 2018 to five recipients.[2]

New Zealand Public Service Medal Te Tohu Ratonga Tūmatanui o Aotearoa
Ribbon bar of the medal
Awarded by Minister of State Services
Country	New Zealand
Eligibility	Personnel of the New Zealand Public Service
Awarded for	Meritorious exceptional performance, commitment, or innovation.
Status	Currently awarded
Statistics
Established	19 July 2018
First awarded	6 November 2018
Posthumous awards	Yes
Order of Wear
Next (higher)	New Zealand Police Meritorious Service Medal[1]
Next (lower)	New Zealand Armed Forces Award[1]

Eligibility

A person is eligible for the medal if they perform meritorious service in their capacity as a Public Service employee who, in the opinion of the State Services Commissioner:
a) demonstrates an outstanding commitment to New Zealand and New Zealanders; or
b) is exemplary, or a model for other employees of the Public Service; or
c) brings significant benefit to New Zealand or the Public Service; or
d) is exceptional and otherwise worthy of recognition.[3]

Non-New Zealand citizens are eligible for the medal. It can be awarded posthumously.[4]

Description

It is a circular silver medal, 36mm in diameter. It is worn on the left breast from a ribbon by way of a ring, and has the following design:[5]

• The obverse has the effigy of Elizabeth II designed by Ian Rank-Broadley,[4] surrounded by the legend ELIZABETH II QUEEN OF NEW ZEALAND.
• The reverse, designed by the New Zealand Herald Extraordinary Phillip O’Shea,[4] shows a representation of a Māori poutama, or step design, bearing the wording in English and Māori FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE and HE TOHU HIRANGA, surrounded by the inscriptions THE NEW ZEALAND PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL and TOHU RATONGA TŪMATANUI O AOTEAROA.
• The name of the recipient is engraved on the rim of the medal.
• The 32 mm wide ribbon is of red ochre with a wide central blue stripe and a narrow white stripe at both edges. The design is based on the ribbon of the British Imperial Service Order and Medal which were awarded to public servants in New Zealand from 1904 to 1974.[4]

References

1. "Order of Wear: Orders, Decorations and Medals in New Zealand". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
2. "Public Service Day Awards List". New Zealand Gazette (2018-go5542). New Zealand Gazette Office, Government Information Services, Department of Internal Affairs. 6 November 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
3. New Zealand Public Service Medal Regulations 2018
4. The New Zealand Public Service Medal, Phillip O'Shea. Orders & Medals Research Society Journal, Vol 58 No 2, June 2019, pp 140-141
5. The New Zealand Public Service Medal Royal Warrant, 19 July 2018

External links

• "Prime Minister presents first public service medals". Scoop Parliament. Scoop Media. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
• "New Zealand Public Service Medal Regulations 2018". New Zealand Legislation. Parliamentary Counsel Office. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
• "The New Zealand Public Service Medal Royal Warrant". New Zealand Regulations. NZLII. Retrieved 29 December 2018.