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The New Zealand Bravery Decoration (NZBD) is the third-level
civil decoration
Civil awards and decorations are awarded to civilians for distinguished service or for eminence in a field of endeavour. Military personnel might also be eligible for services of a non-military nature. There are various forms of civil awards and d ...
of
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
.
It was instituted by
royal warrant on 20 September 1999 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
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...
who perform acts of bravery in non-operational circumstances (given that the
New Zealand gallantry awards
Prior to 1999 the New Zealand armed forces received honours of the United Kingdom, including military decorations and campaign medals. Since the end of World War II there have been constant moves towards an independent New Zealand honours system. ...
may only be awarded "while involved in war and warlike operational service (including peacekeeping)".
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
Post-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials, post-nominal titles, designatory letters or simply post-nominals, are letters placed after a person's name to indicate that the individual holds a position, academic degree, accreditation, ...
''NZBD''.
The medal replaced the award of the
Queen's Gallantry Medal
The Queen's Gallantry Medal (QGM) is a United Kingdom decoration awarded for exemplary acts of bravery where the services were not so outstanding as to merit the George Medal, but above the level required for the Queen's Commendation for Braver ...
,
Air Force Cross, and
Air Force Medal
The Air Force Medal (AFM) was a military decoration, awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force and other British Armed Forces, and formerly to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour ...
in respect of acts of bravery in, or meriting recognition by, New Zealand.
Recipients
See also
*
Orders, decorations, and medals of New Zealand
*
New Zealand gallantry awards
Prior to 1999 the New Zealand armed forces received honours of the United Kingdom, including military decorations and campaign medals. Since the end of World War II there have been constant moves towards an independent New Zealand honours system. ...
*
New Zealand bravery awards
The New Zealand bravery awards are civil (non-military) decorations for bravery.
Since the end of WW2 there have been constant moves towards an independent New Zealand honours system. This has resulted in a new system of New Zealand honours, mi ...
*
New Zealand campaign medals
Prior to 1946 the New Zealand armed forces received honours of the United Kingdom, including military decorations and campaign medals. Since the end of World War 2 there have been constant moves towards an independent New Zealand honours system. ...
References
Further reading
* Mackay, J and Mussel, J (eds) - ''Medals Yearbook - 2005'', (2004), Token Publishing.
External links
New Zealand Bravery Decoration New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Bravery Awards Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet – list of awardees
{{Orders, decorations, and medals of New Zealand
Civil awards and decorations of New Zealand
Courage awards