The NZIPP Honorary Fellow is the Institute’s highest honour and is awarded sparingly. It is an honour for outstanding contribution to the image of professional photography within either the NZIPP or the community at large. The honour is by recommendation to the NZIPP Board from the Honours Council, after detailed research and consideration. The recipient receives a gong with Black ribbon, or the black ribbon is attached to the back of narrower ribbon if recipient has other awards. Should a recipient have more than two awards – the ribbon colour of first service award earned is placed on the left side with the other one on the right side – eg. Grand Master with Hon Fellow (1st service award) and Life Member (second service award) = Black wide ribbon overlaid with narrow white (GM) on left side / Maroon wide ribbon overlaid with narrow wihte (GM) on ride side of the gong. Gong used is the gong relating to distinction award.