The Society has been in existence
for 115 years.

On the 14th of October 1898,
a number of Canterbury Citizens, met in the
Christchurch City Council Chambers
to establish, for New Zealand, an institution
to be called

Royal Humane Society for New Zealand

to function along similar lines
to those of the
Royal Humane Society of the United Kingdom
and the
Royal Humane Society of Australasia
based in Melbourne
both
of which had, until then,
bestowed Awards
for Bravery in New Zealand

Permission to use the title 'Royal' was granted
by Her Majesty the Queen
in December 1898

The new Society's principle function
was then, as it is today,

To bestow rewards upon
those who risk their own lives to save
the lives of others in peril,
and
for all humane acts of a like nature.

Since its inception the Society has enjoyed
Vice-Regal Patronage

Successive Governors
and
Governors-General
have accepted the Office of
Patron

His Excellency,
Lieutenant General The Right Honourable
Sir Jerry Mateparae GNZM, QSO
will hold that Office
during his term as Governor-General

The Society is administered by a
Court of Directors

All Officials of the Society
volunteer their time

The background and experience of its members
permits the Court
to fully assess
the merits of all applications for awards
which come before them.

Actions justifying recognition are brought to the
notice of the Society
by
New Zealand Police
Coroners
The Fire Service
Members of the Public
and
Local Authorities

We became an Incorporated Society in
June 2004
and
A Registered Charity in December 2007