FACT SHEET
The New Zealand Gallantry Awards
Background
The 1995 Prime Minister’s Honours Advisory Committee recommended the discontinuance of British awards for gallantry and
bravery and the institution of a series of distinctive New Zealand awards. The government accepted the committee
recommendation that the Victoria Cross (VC) should remain New Zealand's highest award for acts of gallantry in war and
for war-like operations.
The New Zealand Gallantry Awards are designed to recognise those military, and certain other categories of support
personnel, who perform acts of gallantry while involved in war and warlike operational service (including peacekeeping).
Gallantry awards do not necessarily involve the saving or attempting to save the life of another person.
The four Gallantry Awards, instituted by a New Zealand Royal Warrant dated 20 September 1999, are:
The Victoria Cross for New Zealand (VC)
"For most conspicuous gallantry, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice or extreme devotion to
duty in the presence of the enemy or belligerents"
The New Zealand Gallantry Star (NZGS)
"For acts of outstanding gallantry in situations of danger"
The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration (NZGD)
"For acts of exceptional gallantry in situations of danger"
The New Zealand Gallantry Medal (NZGM)
"For acts of gallantry"
There are also four New Zealand Bravery Awards (the New Zealand Cross, the New Zealand Bravery Star, the New Zealand Bravery Decoration, and the New Zealand Bravery Medal) that are primarily designed for civilians who put their lives at risk while saving or attempting to save the life of
another person. They may be awarded to military personnel where a gallantry award is not considered appropriate.
New Zealand Gallantry Awards bestowed since 1999
Since 1999, not including the awards announced today, the following Gallantry Awards have been made to members of the
New Zealand Defence Force:
VC for NZ None
NZGS: 1 award for gallantry in East Timor.
NZGD: 4 awards for gallantry in East Timor, Sierra Leone and Cambodia.
NZGM: 1 award for gallantry in East Timor.
Presentation of Gallantry Awards
Awards for gallantry are presented to the recipient by the Governor General at an investiture ceremony normally held at
Government House. Typically the investiture takes place some time after the announcement of the award.
Wearing of insignia
Because it is impractical to wear medals on a daily basis, it is most common to see recipients of orders decorations and
medals wearing a small piece of the distinctive coloured ribbon associated with that award on their left breast when in
uniform.
Recipients of orders decorations and medals can wear the appropriate ribbon from the time the award is announced, even
though it may be some time before they receive the actual insignia of the award.
Corporal Apiata wears the ribbon of the VC next to the ribbons of other medals he has been awarded for service in East
Timor and Afghanistan.
For further information on NZ Gallantry and Bravery Awards see:
ENDS