Top The Queen s Service Order This Order, with an associated Medal, was instituted by Royal Warrant, dated 13 March 1975, and amended by a Royal Warrant, dated 15 October 1981. Ordinary membership is limited to 30 appointments per annum. The Order ranks as a fourth level Order. The Order and Medal arose out of the 1974-75 review of the honours system and the desire for an honour to highlight voluntary service to the community and service through elected and appointed public office. Appointments to the Order and awards of the Medal are made 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.
Military service is ineligible.
The first appointments to the Order and awards of the Medal were made in The Queen s Birthday Honours announced on 14 June 1975. Insignia The badge of the Order is based on a stylised representation of a manuka flower. The full name of the appointee is engraved on the reverse of the badge. The New Zealand Coat of Arms surrounded by the name of the Medal and sub-division appear on the reverse. The initials and surname of the recipient is engraved on the rim of the Medal.