The Order was established between 1876 and 1890 by King George Tupou I as a general reward for meritorious services to the kingdom.

The white enamel central medallion has the national coat of arms in the centre, the red riband has the gold capital letters KOE 'OTUA MO TOGA KO HOKU TOFi'A.

(the wrongly spelt motto due to a manufacturing error – "God and Tonga Are My Inheritance"), there is a small 5-pointed gold star in the base of the riband (reversed, i.e. one point downwards).

The ribbon is a 102mm red moiré sash is with two white stripes (18/22.5/21/22.5/18mm) The star (approx.

90mm) is a 7-pointed silver, silver-gilt & enamel faceted Star (with one point downwards), on top of the riband is a gilt crown.