Medals of New Zealand

photos by Clinton J Jones

NZ Memorial Cross to family of 32653 Pte John Bernard Hogan 25th Infantry Battalion 2nd NZEF who was Killed In Action 23/11/1941 in the Western Desert.

Instituted: 12 September 1947 by King George VI. Awarded to the next-of-kin of NZ service personnel killed on active service (since 1995, this includes deaths during peace-keeping operations). Award is made to the nearest female relative - if there is both a mother and a wife 2 Crosses are awarded.

The group below also belong to the same soldier.


1939/45 Star Africa Star with 8th Army clasp Italy Star Defence medal War medal 1939/45 NZ War Service medal
		<<< Reverse of the War Medal 1939/45 and the NZ War Service medal

The New Zealand Cross (Original)

On 10th March 1869 a special decoration for valour - The New Zealand Cross - was instituted by the Governor of New Zealand, Sir George Bowen, for Acts of bravery by colonial soldiers.

Only Imperial troops were eligible for the Victoria Cross and although the regulations changed to included Colonials, it took years for the recommendations to be acted upon. To overcome these delays Bowen created the New Zealand Cross as a special decoration of equivalent value. He was reproved for "Usurping the prerogatives of the Queen" in his action, but the Queen ultimately ratified the award. Awards continued until 1910. It was awarded to members of the Militia, Volunteers and Armed Police for acts of bravery or devotion to duty on active service.

The decoration consisted of a silver Maltese Cross with a gold star on each limb. In the centre encircled by a laurel wreath were the words New Zealand in gold. The Cross was surmounted by a gold crown and attached to a silver bar ornamented with gold laurel leaves through which the ribbon passed. The ribbon, like that of the VC was crimson.

As it applied only in New Zealand it became a rare decoration and it was won on 23 occasions by the following:

Herare Kepa
S. Black
W. Lingard
G. Hill
A.W. Corkeek
Kepa Rangihiwinui
(Maj Kemp)
F.J. Mace

C. Maling
A. Rodriguez
G. Mair
B. Biddle
A. Smith
I.E. Featherston
J.M. Roberts
Ropata Wahawaha

G. Preece
S. Walker
R. Shepherd
S. Austin
T. Adamson
T. McDonnell
M.G.W Wrigg
N. Northcroft

The New Zealand Cross (Current)

Instituted in September 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II.

Awarded for acts of great bravery in situations of extreme danger.

Military and civilians are eligible.

Not considered to be the equivalent of the VC. Roughly equivalent to the George Cross.
- NZ, like Australia, has kept the VC even when they moved to a local Awards system.

The New Zealand War Medal.

The New Zealand War Medal for veterans of the Maori Wars of 1845-7, 1860 and 1865-72 was not sanctioned until 1869.

It was awarded to survivors, only in the Imperial forces and the colonial troops received theirs on the added condition that they had been under fire.

Above. Undated NZ War Medal (Maori wars) as awarded 1865 To Pte. J (John) Redgrave 3rd Waikato Regiment. Previous owner states Medal issued 5th November 1873. Records indicate Redgrave served in Cambridge & Orakau 1864. Born 1833-Died 7th December 1911

Dated version

The medal is silver and was worn from a dark blue ribbon with a broad central red strip. The Obverse showed the head of Queen Victoria and the reverse a wreath and dates of service and the words "New Zealand" and "Virtutis Honor". The number of varieties of this medal, including those that were undated, covers twenty nine dates. Each medal bears the recipient's name and regiment, the latter difference alone giving scope for many varieties. A military pension was available to anyone who served for the Crown in the Maori Wars and was awarded a medal for active service (Colonial Forces).

New Zealand War Service Medal (WW2)

Issued to service personnel who had completed one month full-time or six months part-time service during the war years, September 1939 to September 1945.

New Zealand Service Medal 1946/49

(BCOF)


This citation was awarded to the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and its attached units to recognise service with the United States Army 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam. The New Zealand Unit, 161 Battery Royal New Zealand Artillery was attached to the Australian Regiment during this period and as a result its personnel received this award.	This citation was awarded to 3 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force for service as part of the Australian led International Force East Timor (INTERFET) and with successive Australian and New Zealand Battalions. The New Zealand Government has approved the wearing of the Australian Meritorious Unit Citation by members of 3 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force.	In November 1951 this citation was awarded by Syngman Rhee, the President of South Korea, to 16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery in recognition of their distinguished service at Kap'yong in April 1951. Only those who served with 16th Field Regiment in Korea in 1951 may wear this citation on the right breast.


New Zealand Efficiency Medal QE2	The medal was created in 1982 to recognise peacekeeping service with the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai desert. New Zealand military personnel have been involved in the MFO since 1981 and that involvement continues until the present day. The Sovereign has approved the wearing of the MFO Medal by eligible New Zealand Defence Force personnel.

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The clasps ‘Former Yugoslavia” and ‘Kosovo’ are awarded for service prior to December 2002.

From December 2002, NATO amalgamated all Balkans operations and have instituted a new medal for Non Article 5 operations in the Balkans.

Approval for New Zealand personnel to accept and wear this new medal is currently being sought.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Medals obverse view

These medals are awarded to forces under North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) command or in direct support of NATO operations. In 1996 New Zealand contributed military personnel to serve in the Former Yugoslavia with the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR) and then with the NATO Stabilisation Force (SFOR). This involvement continues to the present day. The Sovereign has approved the wearing of NATO Medals by eligible New Zealand Defence Force personnel.

1990 NZ Commemorative Medal
- for reverse
- Awarded only during 1990 to 3,632 selected persons in recognition of the contribution they had made.
New Zealand Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with 2 clasps
- (Medal awarded for 14 years service and a 1 clasp for each
  additional 7 years service)
Cadet Forces Medal with 1 clasp
- (Medal for 12 years service and clasps for each additional 12 years (In 1989 reduced to 8 years).
- This is a British Medal awarded under NZ regulations.


New Zealand East Timor Medal Awarded for service in East Timor by civilian or military personnel since 19 June 1999. Service may be 1 day's active service on the ground, 7 days' service aboard ship or in support elements elsewhere, 30 days as a visitor or 7 sorties for aircrew.	New Zealand General Service Medal (Peacekeeping)1992. Instituted: 7 May 1992 by Queen Elizabeth II. Awarded: In bronze for service in peacekeeping operations. Bars are worn to indicate the operation for which the medal was awarded.	The New Zealand General Service Medal (Warlike Operations) 1992 Instituted: 7 May 1992 by Queen Elizabeth II. Awarded: In silver for service in war-like operations. Bars are worn to indicate the operations for which the medal is awarded.