The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal was instituted by
Royal Warrant of Queen
Elizabeth II on 9 February 1990. It was to be awarded only during 1990 to about 3,000 people selected in recognition of the contribution they have made to some aspect of New Zealand life, especially the various 1990 celebrations. A total of 3,632 medals were eventually awarded. The medal is known as the
Sesquicentennial Medal, because it was issued on the 150th
anniversary of signing of the
Treaty of Waitangi by representatives of the British Crown and various Māori chiefs from the North Island of New Zealand on 6 February 1840. The New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal is an official medal to be worn on all occasions on which decorations and medals are worn. It is worn after Coronation and Jubilee medals, but before decorations and medals for long service. It was accompanied by a certificate bearing the signatures of the Queen, the Governor-General and the Prime Minister. ==Notable recipients==