Her Majesty the Queen has approved the following rules
for the use and grant of the title "The Honourable" in
New Zealand:
1. The title "The Honourable" (abbreviated to "The Hon.") may be used by the Governor-General (if he or she does not already enjoy the title or is not a Member of The Most Honourable Privy Council) while in office and may be retained for life.
2. The title "The Honourable" may be used by former Governors-General (who do not already enjoy the title or who are not Members of The Most Honourable Privy Council) from the date of this notice and may be retained for life.
3. The title "The Honourable" may be used by the following (if not Privy Counsellors) while in office:
- Prime Minister
- Members of the Executive Council
- Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Chief Justice
- Judges of the Supreme Court
- Judges of the Court of Appeal
- Judges of the High Court
4. On relinquishing or retirement from office, the holders of the offices listed in paragraph three shall be eligible to be recommended for retention of the title for life.
5. The Governor-General may, under authority delegated by the Queen and on the advice of the Prime Minister or a Minister of the Crown acting for the Prime Minister, approve the retention of the title "The Honourable" for life by the holders of those offices listed in paragraph three.
The rules relating to the use and grant of the title
"The Honourable" in New Zealand that were approved
by Her Majesty the Queen in 1974 are hereby cancelled.
Dated at Wellington this 17th day of July 2006.
HELEN CLARK, Prime Minister.