Neck Badge and Breast Star of a Knight Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM), mounted in the fitted case of issue

This Neck Badge and Breast Star of a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) were awarded to Peter Snell for services to sport in 2001 (he became Sir Peter in 2009 when knighthoods were reinstated).

Sir Peter Snell (1938-2019) was one of the world’s greatest athletes in one of the world’s most admired sports – middle-distance running. In 2000 he was named New Zealand’s Sports Champion of the 20th Century. During his running career he won three Olympic gold medals (in the 800m event at Rome, 1960, and in the 800 and 1500m events at Tokyo, 1964), two British Empire and Commonwealth Games gold medals at Perth in 1962, and set six world records.

Snell was a pupil of the master coach Arthur Lydiard who was responsible for the finest era in New Zealand athletics from 1951-66.

Design

The insignia features the Badge of the Order in the centre of a silver Breast Star with eight points, with each arm bearing a representation of a fern frond. The Badge is in the form of a cross in white enamel set in silver, with a medallion in the centre comprising the New Zealand Coat of Arms within a circle bearing the motto of the Order. The cross is surmounted by a Royal Crown.

The insignia can be worn from either a red ochre neck ribbon or from a bow on the left shoulder. Red ochre (kokowai) has spiritual significance to Māori, and is a traditional colour associated with knighthood, alluding to toil, hard work and achievement.