Biography
O'Shea was educated at St Patrick's College in Wellington. In the 1960s,he later graduated from the Victoria University of Wellington. [1] After gaining his qualifications,O'Shea became a junior public servant. He would remain in the public service for the rest of his career. [2]
He started in the public service as librarian and numismatic advisor to the New Zealand Treasury between 1967 and 1974. [2] After this,O'Shea moved to become the advisory officer to the honours section of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in 1974. He remained in that position until 2004. [2] In 1978,the Garter Principal King of Arms,appointed him the New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary to Her Majesty The Queen,a position that no New Zealander had held before. [1] He has since remained in that position as of present.
In this mostly symbolic position,O'Shea has been the principal adviser to governments regarding the honours and awards granted to New Zealanders,including the designing of the Queen's Service Order (1975),the Order of New Zealand (1987),and the New Zealand Order of Merit (1996),amongst other commemorative medals. [2] As part of his heraldic duties,he has also been involved in the design of coats of arms for several governors-general. [3] [4] O'Shea has since been recognised with a number of honours himself due to his contributions as the specialist advisor of the honours unit to the Realm of New Zealand. [5] [6]
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