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The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration (NZGD)

The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration (NZGD)

Overview

The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration (NZGD) is awarded for 'exceptional acts of gallantry in situations of danger'. It was instituted in 1999 as part of a Government initiative to replace British awards for gallantry with distinctively New Zealand awards. The NZGD replaced the Distinguished Service Cross, the Military Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Military Medal, the Distinguished Flying Medal, and the Air Force Medal.

Description

The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration is a faceted sterling silver cross of four equal points, known as a ‘Greek’ cross. At the centre sits a golden Royal Crown encircled by two fern fronds crossed at the bottom.  The reverse is inscribed "FOR GALLANTRY - MO TE TOANGA". 

The ribbon has a central purple stripe bordered on both sides by two crimson stripes separated by a white stripe.

Additional bars may be awarded for subsequent acts of gallantry in dangerous situations. The bars are silver and adorned with two New Zealand fern fronds.

Recipients of this award are entitled to use the post-nominal letters N.Z.G.D. after their names.

Eligibility

The following people, while involved in warlike or non-warlike operational service (including peacekeeping), shall be eligible for Gallantry Awards and Bars to the Awards:

  • Members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), including Territorial and auxiliary units, as well as those on secondment, attachment, or deployment with other Commonwealth and foreign nations.
  • NZDF members and other New Zealand personnel serving with United Nations and other peacekeeping or peace enforcement missions.
    Military personnel from other Commonwealth and foreign nations on secondment, attachment, or deployment with the NZDF.
  • Members of the New Zealand Merchant Navy, crews of civil airlines registered in New Zealand, and members of recognised New Zealand philanthropic and welfare organisations operating under the direction or supervision of the NZDF.
  • Civilians working permanently or temporarily under the direction or supervision of the NZDF.
    Other individuals as determined by the Governor-General of New Zealand, advised by the Prime Minister or a Minister of the Crown acting on behalf of the Prime Minister.
  • Citizens of other Commonwealth and foreign countries who meet the criteria specified in the Royal Warrant are also eligible for the Awards and Bars to the Awards.

For full details:

See the Royal warrant for the New Zealand Gallantry Awards(external link)

Recipients

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet maintains a list of recipients of New Zealand Gallantry Awards since in 1999. For more details:

See the up to date list of recipients(external link)

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this honour

    The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration is worn before the New Zealand Bravery Decoration in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  

    For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:

  • Nominating someone for a Gallantry Award

    Nominations for acts of gallantry should be made within twelve months of the incident.  Nominations relating to events over five years ago are unlikely to be successful or considered.  

    To nominate someone for a Gallantry Award, current serving personnel may complete an MD592 and submit the form through Single Service chains of command.  Self-nominations for these awards will not be accepted.

    Nominations for ex-serving personnel or civilians may be made by any person or persons by completing a nomination form and forwarding it to the Honours Unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.  In-depth guidelines for making a nomination and the nomination form are available for download on the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet website.

    See the guide to nominations for New Zealand Gallantry Awards(external link)

    The processing of nominations for Gallantry Awards may take a considerable period of time, especially if the incident for which recognition is sought involves court, Courts martial, coroner, or other investigation.

  • Checking if this honour was awarded

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by filling out the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record