The New Zealand Cross was introduced in 1869 during the
New Zealand Wars in New Zealand. The wars were fought between natives of New Zealand, the
Māori, and forces raised by European settlers known as
Pākehā assisted by
British troops.
Many acts of bravery, gallantry and devotion to duty were recorded among the local militia, armed constabulary and volunteers, but there was one militia
Victoria Cross awarded to
Charles Heaphy in 1867 for action in 1864.
On 10 March 1869, without checking the facts and under the mistaken impression colonial troops were not eligible for the Victoria Cross unless under command of British troops, the
Governor of New Zealand, Sir
George Bowen, instituted the New Zealand Cross as the highest New Zealand award.
He was widely criticised in England, and accused of usurping the prerogative of
Queen Victoria, but she eventually ratified his action.[1]
Only 23 New Zealand Crosses were awarded with first six published in the
New Zealand Gazette in 1869. There was one award gazetted in 1870 and the remaining 16 awards gazetted between 1875 and 1910, from six to 44 years after the actions commended.[2]
It has the form of a silver cross pattée. The
obverse contains the words 'NEW ZEALAND' in the centre,
gilded in gold, which are encircled by a laurel wreath. Each limb of the cross has a six-point star, in gold. The cross is surmounted by a gold
Imperial State Crown. The
reverse of the medal has two concentric circles with the name of the recipient engraved between the circles, and the date of the action engraved within the inner circle.[3] A crimson ribbon passes through a silver suspender clasp with small gold laurel leaves. For the first 20 medals cast in 1871, the reverse of the suspender clasp contains the
cartouche of the goldsmith Messrs Phillips Brothers and Son of Cockspur Street, London; which was omitted from a further five medals cast in 1886.[4]
Recipients
Recipients of the original New Zealand Cross were:
In 1999, the
New Zealand Cross was re-instituted. The Royal Warrant of 20 September 1999 created four awards for bravery and four for gallantry.
The new New Zealand Cross for Bravery is similar to the 1869 medal with some amendments. The Crown is now the current
St Edward's Crown instead of the
Victorian Imperial State Crown, and New Zealand fern fronds replace laurel leaves. The ribbon is bright blue, a colour traditionally associated with bravery awards.
There is also a new
Victoria Cross for New Zealand for Gallantry, which has the same crimson ribbon and is made to the same design and of the same gunmetal as the British VC.