The awards are open to any public servant currently employed in the New Zealand Public Service. The Public Service includes departments and departmental agencies listed in Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act 2020 and the Crown agents listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

Ngā wāhanga tohuAward categories

  • Te Tohu Ratonga Tūmatanui o Aotearoa | The New Zealand Public Service Medal

    The New Zealand Public Service Medal is awarded to public servants who have given service that’s worthy of merit.

    Medal recipients are people who:

    • demonstrate an outstanding commitment to New Zealand and New Zealanders
    • are exemplary, or a model for other Public Service employees
    • bring significant benefit to New Zealand or the Public Service
    • are exceptional and otherwise worthy of recognition.

    The New Zealand Public Service Medal was established by Royal Warrant in 2018 and is part of the New Zealand Royal Honours system.

  • Te Tohu Amorangi a Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commissioner's Commendation for Excellence

    The Public Service Commissioner's Commendation for Excellence is awarded for outstanding spirit of service shown by a public servant. Nominees for this commendation will be those in Public Service delivery roles, such as frontline, operational, policy, corporate, technical or specialist. These people are responsible for the delivery of work rather than its management.

    Commendation recipients are people who:

    • demonstrate exceptional care and commitment to New Zealanders, and a ‘higher purpose' motivation
    • demonstrate the highest standard of integrity, kaitiakitanga, and the right attitude
    • generate pride in the Public Service.

Ngā rā nuiImportant dates

Please note dates are subject to change each year and will be published on the current year’s page.

  • Early – Mid May: Nominations open

Please allow time for letters of support to be written and endorsement from the chief executive or board chair.

  • Early August: Nominations close
  • Late August: Selection panel meet
  • Late September: Recipients are notified of recognition. Chief executives and board chairs notified of all agency outcomes
  • November: Recipients are announced on or around Public Service Day

Puka tapatanga me ngā aratohuNomination forms and guidelines

  • Eligibility

    The awards are open to any public servant currently employed in the New Zealand Public Service. The Public Service includes departments and departmental agencies listed in Schedule 2 of the Public Service Act 2020 and the Crown agents listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

  • Nomination Forms

    New Zealand Public Service Medal nomination form and guidelines 2022.

    Public Service Commissioner's Commendation for Excellence nomination form and guidelines 2022.

    We suggest opening the nomination form with Adobe for ease of editing.

     

  • Supporting Information

    The New Zealand Public Service Medal requires at least 2 support letters. Letters of support can be from colleagues, stakeholders and/or members of the public. They should be from people who are familiar with the nominee’s service. Letters cannot be accepted from the chief executive or board chair that is nominating them.

    It is important to note ‘Positions held’ previously if known.

    Recipients of these awards will be asked to complete a sounding form to confirm their acceptance and consent to further integrity checks, including of their HR file and a Ministry of Justice criminal history check. The purpose of the integrity checks is to ensure the recipients demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and kaitiakitanga.

     

  • Selection Process

    The Public Service Day Awards Selection Panel recommends award recipients to the Public Service Commissioner. The panel has a minimum of six members and is chaired by a Statutory Public Service Commissioner. At least one member represents the Cabinet Office and the remaining members are Public Service chief executives, board chairs, or senior public servants.

    Read more about the Selection Panels

Te hoahoa o ngā tohu Award design

Both the Public Service Medal and the Commendation lapel pin carry the design of the Māori Poutama or step design found in Tukutuku wall panels. These allude to the 'stairway to heaven' or in this instance the 'steps of service'.

The basic medal ribbon design is that of the Imperial Service Order (ISO) and associated Imperial Service Medal (ISM) with the addition of narrow white edges. The red or red ochre and white provides a link to the red ochre, like in the ribbon of the Queen's Service Order (QSO) and Queen's Service Medal (QSM). Overall there is a link to the historic distinctive civil or public service honours, the Imperial Service Order and associated Medal.

The Imperial Service Order was essentially a medal for public servants, so it's appropriate that the new medal ribbon is similar. Members of the administrative or clerical branches of the civil service were eligible for appointment to the Order after at least 25 years' meritorious service, if serving in the United Kingdom or 16 years if serving in Commonwealth countries, including New Zealand.

Whakapā maiContact

Email: awards@publicservice.govt.nz

The Spirit of Service team is available to assist with any queries you have regarding public service awards and recognition.

We engage with key contacts at each government agency throughout the year about the awards programme. Please contact us if you have any questions.