Order of Tahiti Nui
Encyclopedia
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
.
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.
, 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.
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.
Assembly of French Polynesia
The Assembly of French Polynesia is the unicameral legislature of French Polynesia, located at the Place Tarahoi in Papeete, Tahiti. It consists of 57 members who are elected by popular vote and by proportional representation in 6 multi-seat constituencies. The only official language of the...
to reward distinguished merit and achievements in the service to French Polynesia
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
.
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 PolynesiaCoat of arms of French Polynesia
The Coat of arms of French Polynesia consists of an outrigger depicted in a disc over a stylized emblem of sun and sea; this is very similar to other arms in the region, for example the Coat of arms of Kiribati....
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 GovernmentPresident of the Government
President of the Government is a term used in official statements to describe several Prime Ministers:* Croatia, Prime Minister of Croatia* Russia, Prime Minister of Russia, Literally Chairman 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:
- 300 knights,
- 100 officers,
- 40 commanders,
- 10 Grand Cross.
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:- Knight: Minimum 15 years of services or activities of assorted distinguished merits.
- Officer: Minimum 7 years of seniority in the rank of Knight.
- Commander: Minimum 5 years of seniority in the rank of Officer.
- Grand Cross: Minimum 3 years of seniority in the rank of Commander.
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
Grand Master (order)
Grand Master is the typical title of the supreme head of various orders of knighthood, including various military orders, religious orders and civil orders such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Orange Order...
of the Order for dignitaries and parliamentarians of the Republic, heads of state and foreign governments and their employees.
Grand Cross
- Gaston FlosseGaston FlosseGaston Flosse is a French Polynesian politician who has been President of French Polynesia on four separate occasions. He is currently a member of the Senate of France.-Life and career:...
, president of the government of French Polynesia (conferred by right as Grand Master of the Order, June 26, 1996) - His Majesty Taufa'ahau Tupou IVTaufa'ahau Tupou IVTāufaāhau Tupou IV, King of Tonga, GCMG, GCVO, KBE, KStJ son of Queen Sālote Tupou III and her consort Prince Viliami Tungī Mailefihi, was the king of Tonga from the death of his mother in 1965 until his own death in 2006...
, King of Tonga (exceptional elevation March 4, 1997) - Jiang ZeminJiang ZeminJiang Zemin is a former Chinese politician, who served as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1989 to 2002, as President of the People's Republic of China from 1993 to 2003, and as Chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 2005...
, President of the People's Republic of China (exceptional elevation April 3, 2001) - Gaston Tong SangGaston Tong SangGaston Tong Sang is the former President of French Polynesia. He served terms as President of French Polynesia from November 2009 until April 2011, from April 2008 until February 2009 and from December 2006 until September 2007.; he is currently the Mayor of Bora-Bora...
, President of French Polynesia (conferred by right as Grand Master of the Order, June 20, 2007)
Commander
- Bernard PonsBernard PonsBernard Pons was a French politician and medical doctor who was a member of the Union of Democrats for the Republic from 1971 to 1976 and a member of the Rally for the Republic party thereafter...
, Minister of State (appointed December 30, 1997) - Dominique PerbenDominique PerbenDominique Perben is a French politician. Born in Lyon, he was French Minister of Transportation from 2005 to 2007. He was previously Minister of Justice , Minister of Civil Service and Administration and Minister of Overseas France .Perben has been a Deputy in the National Assembly for the fifth...
, former Minister of Overseas Territories (appointed August 4, 1999) - Philippe SéguinPhilippe SéguinPhilippe Séguin was a French political figure who was President of the National Assembly from 1993 to 1997 and President of the Cour des Comptes of France from 2004 to 2010....
, Minister of State (appointed April 10, 2002) - Raphaela Le Gouvello, navigator (appointed November 3, 2003)
- Anne Boquet, High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia (promoted June 24, 2008)