New Zealand Bravery Decoration

The New Zealand Bravery Decoration (NZBD) is the third level civil decoration of New Zealand.

New Zealand Bravery Decoration

Obverse of the medal. Ribbon: 32mm, seven equal and alternating stripes of bright blue and crimson.
TypeCivil decoration
Awarded for"acts of exceptional bravery in situations of danger"
Description45mm, (Obverse) cross pattée surmounted by a small faceted four-pointed star with the Royal Crown and fern frond wreath emblem; (reverse) inscribed "FOR BRAVERY - MO TE MAIA". With ring suspension.
Presented byNew Zealand
EligibilityThose performing acts of bravery in, or meriting recognition by, New Zealand
StatusCurrently awarded
Established20 September 1999
Precedence
Next (higher)New Zealand Gallantry Decoration[1]
Next (lower)Order of St John[1]

It was instituted by Royal Warrant on 20 September 1999[2] as part of the move to replace British bravery awards with an indigenous New Zealand Bravery system. The medal, which may be awarded posthumously, is granted in recognition of "acts of exceptional bravery in situations of danger". The medal is primarily a civilian award, but it is also awarded to members of the armed forces who perform acts of bravery in non-operational circumstances (given that the New Zealand gallantry awards may only be awarded "while involved in war and warlike operational service (including peacekeeping)".[3]

Bars are awarded to the NZBD in recognition of the performance of further acts of bravery meriting the award. Recipients are entitled to the postnominal letters 'N.Z.B.D.".[4]

The medal replaced the award of the Queen's Gallantry Medal, Air Force Cross, and Air Force Medal in respect of acts of bravery in, or meriting recognition by, New Zealand.

See also

Notes
  1. "Order of Wear: Orders, Decorations and Medals in New Zealand". Cabinet Office » Honours Unit. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  2. "Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Honours Secretariat - Medal information page". Archived from the original on 2006-10-08. Retrieved 2006-10-19.
  3. New Zealand Defence Force - Text of the Royal warrant for the New Zealand Gallantry awards system - s.5
  4. "NZDF Medals - The New Zealand Bravery Decoration (NZBD)". medals.nzdf.mil.nz. Retrieved 2020-06-22.

References
  • Mackay, J and Mussel, J (eds) - Medals Yearbook - 2005, (2004), Token Publishing.
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