Type Order Established 5 June 1996 | Status Currently Awarded | |
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Eligibility must be of French nationality Awarded for outstanding merit in the service of French Polynesia Total awarded Maximum number of members:
Knights: 300
Officers: 100
Commanders: 40
Grand Cross: 10
Grandmaster: 1 | ||
The Order of Tahiti Nui was established on 5 June 1996 by the Assembly of French Polynesia to reward distinguished merit and achievements in the service to French Polynesia.
Contents
Insignia
The insignia is a cross of four arms glazed in red enamel, terminating in a ball at each point. The arms are connected by a circular crown of Tahitian gardenia enameled in green and white. The obverse center of the cross shows the Coat of arms of French Polynesia colored by enamel in orange, red, and blue. The reverse has the inscription in relief: "Order of Tahiti Nui." The cross is suspended by another crown of Tahitian gardenia enameled in green and white. The ribbon is red with a wide central stripe in white.
History
The Order of Tahiti Nui was established June 5, 1996 by resolution of the Assembly of French Polynesia. The Organic Law of 12 April 1996 granted a plan of autonomy to the territory of French Polynesia, allowing it to freely determine distinctive signs reflective of the islands' personality. The articles defining the order were adopted June 24, 1996 by Order No. 660 of the Council of Ministers of French Polynesia. The organization and discipline of the order are provided by a Bar Council consisting of 3 permanent members, the President of the Government, the President of the Assembly of French Polynesia, and the President of the Economic, Social and Cultural council, in addition to 4 recipients of the Order who are nominated for five year terms. The Bar Council deliberates on matters concerning the statutes of the Order. It also meets on appointments, promotions, and disciplinary issues of members of the Order. It certifies that appointments and promotions are made in accordance with regulations. The Chancery of the Order is headed by a chancellor who is secretary general of the government of French Polynesia.
The Order consists of 3 grades Knight, Officer, and Commander, and one dignity, Grand Cross. The maximum of the Order is set to 450 holders distributed among the grades as follows:
Until the maximum number is reached, the annual appointments and promotions shall not exceed ten per cent of holders in each grade.
Eligibility
To be received into the Order, the recipient must be of French nationality.
To be appointed or promoted, he must meet the following:
During the course of their duties, members of the territorial government and advisers can be appointed or promoted in the Order of Tahiti Nui. Persons of foreign nationality who have distinguished themselves by their merits in respect to French Polynesia can be awarded a distinction in the Order of Tahiti Nui. The award of a distinction in the order may also have an imposed quota by the Grand Master of the Order for dignitaries and parliamentarians of the Republic, heads of state and foreign governments and their employees.