Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours list
Embargoed until 5.00am, 4 June 2012

Monarchy New Zealand wishes to congratulate all recipients of awards in the Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours list. These remarkable citizens are a credit to their communities and their recognition is a way for all New Zealanders to celebrate their accomplishments.

It is notable that the Queen of New Zealand’s consort, Prince Philip, has been made an Additional Member of The Order of New Zealand. It is traditional to bestow honours on members of the Royal Family to recognise their service to their country. The award of the Order of New Zealand recognises the lifetime of service he has provided to the Queen of New Zealand and to New Zealand in general. “Investing Prince Philip with the Order of New Zealand recognises his service to New Zealand, raises the profile of the honours, and further highlight the distinctly New Zealand aspect of the monarchy” says Monarchy New Zealand Chair Dr Sean Palmer.

Prince Philip is the longest-serving consort in New Zealand’s history. He has worked to support Elizabeth in her role as Queen since she came to the throne of New Zealand 60 years ago. In that time, he has travelled throughout Aotearoa on many occasions visiting countless cities and towns.

Prince Philip has dedicated his whole life to charitable causes. He is patron or president of more than 800 charities. Among these, he is patron of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and is a life member of the Aviation Industry Association of New Zealand. He is an Honorary Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Engineers, the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Veteran’s Association of New Zealand, and the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. He is also holds the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association’s highest honour, its Badge in Gold and Life Membership. Of the 75 prizes, cups, and medals associated with him, the most famous in New Zealand is the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Awards.

He served in the Royal Navy during World War II and in New Zealand he is the senior-most officer in all three branches of the Defence Force. He is Admiral of the Fleet of the Royal New Zealand Navy, Marshal of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Field Marshal of the New Zealand Army. He also serves as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Prince Philip was made an Extra Companion of the Queen’s Service Order (QSO) in 1981, and received the 1990 New Zealand Commemorative Medal.

“For some time, Monarchy New Zealand has been encouraging the government to recognise members of the Royal Family in an Honours List,” says Dr Palmer. “We are pleased to see this idea seems to have been taken on board. Prince Philip’s commitment to New Zealand is unquestionable. It’s great to see this recognised officially.”

Alongside Prince Philip, three other New Zealanders have been made additional members of the Order of New Zealand in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee for their services to New Zealand. These include notable film maker Sir Peter Jackson KNZM, internationally recognised opera diva, Dame Malvina Major GNZM DBE, and distinguished public servant Dame Margaret Bazley DNZM.

Monarchy New Zealand applauds the work and dedication of all those on this Queen’s Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours list.

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