THE VICTORIA CROSS FOR NEW ZEALAND

Obverse: A bronze cross paty or formy (with straight edges) with, in the centre, the Royal Crest above a scroll inscribed with the words "FOR VALOUR", and attached by the letter "V" to a straight bronze suspender bar bearing laurel leaves.

Reverse: Plain, except for the date of the action for which it was awarded.

Size: 35mm across the arms of the cross.

Ribbon: 38mm wide, the ribbon is plain crimson in colour, with a small bronze representation of the Cross affixed to the centre when the ribbon alone is worn.

Suspension: The suspender bar has laurel leaves on it. To the centre bottom of this bar is attached a small letter "V", with a ring passing through this and through a hole in a small semi circle attached to the top arm of the cross. The recipient's name is recorded on the back of the suspender bar.

Instituted on 20th September 1999, The Victoria Cross for New Zealand takes the place of the British decoration, The Victoria Cross. It is made from the same metal of a cannon captured from the Russians at the siege of Sebastopol during the Crimean War. It is awarded 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 of belligerents. The Victoria Cross for New Zealand takes precedence over all other awards.

A recipient of an Award who performs a further act of gallantry that is worthy of recognition by the same Award may be awarded a Bar to be attached to the ribbon of his or her Award. This Bar is of bronze, oblong in shape, and bears laurel leaves. When the ribbon alone is worn, for each Bar awarded an additional emblem is worn. Recipients of the Award shall have the privilege of placing the letters "V.C." after their names.

There has been one award of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand to date.

Royal Warrant For This Award: View Warrant (PDF document)

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