__NOTOC__ The New Zealand Bravery Decoration (NZBD) is the third-level civil decoration of New Zealand.
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 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)".New Zealand Defence Force - Text of the Royal warrant for the New Zealand Gallantry awards system - s.5
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 NZBD.
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.
Recipients
NameDate of actionLocation of actionHonours listTerence Albert Hood4 July 1989Wellington Special Honours List - 1999 (Bravery Awards)Sergeant Allan Donald Cantley29 July 1993MorrinsvilleChristopher Michael Crean13 March 1996*New PlymouthGraeme James Hunt21 April 1996FlaxmereConstable Warren Gilbert Sloss12 October 1996WhanganuiHakihana Jackson Pomare21 June 1997*Matauri BayBrian John Pickering25 September 2000Kaimanawa Range Special Honours List - 29 January 2005 (Bravery Awards)Constable Geoffrey Frank Knight4 June 2001TapanuiSergeant David Templeton21 January 2003South Auckland Special Honours List - 14 October 2006 (Bravery Awards)Sergeant Ngakina Jane Bertrand17–18 January 2005Yandina, Solomon IslandsSergeant George William WhiteConstable Craig David Bennett7 May 2005DunedinPes Sia’atoutai Fa'aui28 November 2005HendersonConstable Robert Bruce Gibson5 June 2005Mount Albert Special Honours List - 3 May 2008 (Bravery Awards)Constable Karl Hugh PenningtonConstable James Alexander Muir23 June 2007Whakatāne Special Honours List - 2 April 2011 (Bravery Awards)Senior Firefighter Mervyn Raymond Neil5 April 2008TamahereWing Commander Anthony Frederick Ronald Millsom26 April 2008RNZAF Base AucklandInspector Michael Ross O'Leary24 April 2009near TaupōSergeant Heath Courtenay Jones7 May 2009NapierSenior Sergeant Anthony James MillerConstable Kevin Lawrence RooneyConstable Michael Thomas Wardle13 July 2010Christchurch Special Honours List - 2 December 2013 (Bravery Awards)Georgina Rose Langford21 April 2011near NelsonDr Bryce Curran22 February 2011Christchurch Special Honours List - 23 June 2014 (Bravery Awards)Dr Lydia Grace Johns-PutraChristopher Mark Foot15 January 2014Dunedin Special Honours List - 1 August 2016 (Bravery Awards)Senior Constable Blair John Spalding25 August 2014HamiltonConstable Benjamin Patrick TurnerLiam Christiaan Armand Beale15 March 2019Christchurch Special Honours List - 16 December 2021 (Bravery Awards)Senior Constable Scott Eric CarmodySenior Constable James Andrew (Jim) ManningZiyaad ShahTimothy Robin (Tim) Barrow9 December 2019Whakaari / White Island Special Honours List - 26 October 2022 - (Bravery Awards)Jason William HillGraeme HopcroftSam Peter JonesCallum MillThomas Sandford (Tom) StoreyConstable Matthew Dennis Hunt19 June 2020*Auckland Special Honours List - 6 December 2024 - (Bravery Awards)Bodey Thomas Foley11 April 2020Lower HuttNoel George Jones1 May 2020AucklandVanessa Miller-Andrews10 May 2021DunedinStephen Robert Brodie3 September 2021AucklandJohnathan Aaron CurreenRoss Elliott TomlinsonIan Stewart Anderson24 October 2022KekerenguRoland IpenburgSenior Constable Andrew Ian WatsonYoung Person N17 September 2024Auckland Special Honours List - 13 December 2025 - (Bravery Awards)Junior (Losi) Faamalosi Isaako20 June 2025Flaxmere
See also Orders, decorations, and medals of New Zealand New Zealand gallantry awards New Zealand bravery awards New Zealand campaign medals
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