New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa
Media Release
23 September 2005
Duke of York to visit Army Logistic Regiment
His Royal Highness The Duke of York is in New Zealand next week to visit the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment
(RNZALR) Duke of York’s Own.
The Duke of York has held the appointment of Colonel-in-Chief of the RNZALR since its formation in 1996 and the Regiment
is known as “The Duke of York’s own”.
During his visit, The Duke of York will meet with soldiers and officers of the RNZALR in Linton and Trentham Military
Camps and will visit members of the Burnham based 3rd Logistic Battalion on Exercise in the Nelson region.
Colonel Peter Cunninghame, the Army’s Chief of Logistics, said the Duke of York is very committed to his Regiment and
his role as Colonel-in-Chief.
“I believe the Duke of York was delighted to accept the appointment of Colonel-in-Chief and the Regiment was very deeply
honoured by his decision to do so. The main purpose of his visit to New Zealand later this month is to once again meet
with the members of his Regiment and view their activities.
The Duke of York last visited New Zealand in 1998 when he presented the Prince Andrew Banner to the RNZALR in a ceremony
in Palmerston North. During that visit he took every opportunity to get to know the officers and soldiers of the
Regiment.”
The Duke of York arrives on 28 September and departs New Zealand on 2 October.
For further information please contact Major Denise Mackay, Army Public Relations Manager, 04 496 0285 or 021 478 574
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Media will be invited to attend aspects of The Duke of York’s visit in both Linton and Trentham Camps. Further details
will be provided next week.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON “THE DUKE OF YORK’S OWN”
ROYAL NEW ZEALAND ARMY LOGISTIC REGIMENT
General Background
Prior to 1996, the logistic support to the New Zealand Army was provided by three separate and distinct corps; the Royal
New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RNZEME), the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps (RNZAOC) and the
Royal New Zealand Corps of Transport (RNZCT).
On 4 April 1996 the then Chief of Defence Force, Major General Piers Reid, signed a directive to initiate the
establishment of a fully integrated logistic function in the New Zealand Army, with the intention of improving logistic
support in both operational and non-operational environments. The integrated logistic organisation would combine the
three separate corps.
The new corps, known as the Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (RNZALR), was formed on 4 December 1996 with the
disbandment of the RNZEME, RNZAOC and RNZCT.
The Royal Link
Prior to the establishment of the RNZALR, the predecessor corps each had a member of the Royal family as its
“Colonel-in-Chief”. The Queen herself was the Colonel-in-Chief of the RNZAOC, with Prince Philip filling this role for
the RNZEME and Princess Alice (Duchess of Gloucester) for the RNZCT.
The Queen appointed The Duke of York as Colonel-in-Chief of the RNZALR in December 1996, to date the RNZALR is the only
corps in New Zealand to have The Duke of York as its Colonel-in-Chief.
On 22 June 1999, The Queen approved the appellation “The Duke of York’s Own” to the RNZALR.
The Duke of York
The Duke of York first visited his Regiment in 1998, when he presented the Prince Andrew Banner to the RNZALR during a
ceremony held on 16 November in Palmerston North. The Banner is used by the Regiment for major ceremonial activities and
represents the focal point for the traditions, loyalty and spirit of the RNZALR.
The main purpose of The Duke of York’s visit to New Zealand later this month is to meet the soldiers and officers of his
regiment, in both the camp and field environments.
The New Zealand Army has appointed officers to fill the role of Equerry to the Duke of York since the formation of the
RNZALR in 1996. The Equerry acts as an officer in attendance to His Royal Highness during visits to New Zealand, or
other countries as directed. An Equerry is appointed for three years and is selected from Officers holding the rank of
Captain.
ENDS