Order of Tahiti Nui

Ordre de Tahiti Nui
Type	Order
Eligibility	must be of French nationality
Status	Currently Awarded
Established	5 June 1996
Grand Croix Commandeur Officier Chevalier Ribbons of the Ordre de Tahiti Nui

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.

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:

• 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 of the Order for dignitaries and parliamentarians of the Republic, heads of state and foreign governments and their employees.

Recipients

Grand Cross

• Gaston Flosse, president of the government of French Polynesia (conferred by right as Grand Master of the Order, June 26, 1996)
• His Majesty Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV, King of Tonga (exceptional elevation March 4, 1997)
• Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China (exceptional elevation April 3, 2001)
• Gaston Tong Sang, President of French Polynesia (conferred by right as Grand Master of the Order, June 20, 2007)

Commander

• Bernard Pons, Minister of State (appointed December 30, 1997)
• Dominique Perben, former Minister of Overseas Territories (appointed August 4, 1999)
• Philippe Séguin, Minister of State (appointed April 10, 2002)
• Raphaëla Le Gouvello, navigator (appointed November 3, 2003)
• Anne Boquet, High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia (promoted June 24, 2008)
• Nainoa Thompson, President of Polynesian Voyaging Society, Pwo navigator(promoted June 26, 2014)

Officer

• Jacques Maillot, former CEO of the airline "Corsair" (appointed November 7, 2001)

Knight (Chevalier)

• Angelo Schirinzi, Trainer of Beach Soccer National Team at FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiti 2013 (4. Place, losing the small final against Brasil in Penalty shoot-out 7-8). Tahiti is the first Pacific Islands nation to reach the knockout stage of a FIFA tournament.)