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In New Zealand, in the past, the service of senior Ministers and members of the judiciary has been given recognition by their appointment to the Privy Council, and the consequent right to use the title "The Right Honourable" (abbreviated to "The Rt Hon") while in office and for life. From 2000, successive New Zealand Prime Ministers decided not to suggest any further appointments to the Privy Council.
In August 2010, the Queen, reflecting her wish to acknowledge the service of the holders of the highest public offices in New Zealand, approved the following rules for the grant, use and retention of the title "The Right Honourable" in New Zealand:
RULES FOR THE GRANT, USE AND RETENTION
OF THE TITLE "THE RIGHT HONOURABLE" IN NEW ZEALAND
Her Majesty The Queen has approved the following rules for the grant, use and retention of the title "The Right Honourable" in New Zealand:
The new rules are prospective in their application (they apply to current and future office holders, not to people who held office before the new rules were made). See the list of the people who have been granted the title "The Right Honourable" under the new rules.
The approval of the rules for the grant, use and retention of the title "The Right Honourable" in New Zealand meant that consequential changes needed to be made to the 2006 rules for the grant and use of the title "The Honourable"