The New Zealand Cross is one of the world's rarest decorations for gallantry. It was awarded to just twenty-three recipients for service during the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s, but new research has shown that twenty-four Crosses were issued, with one being a replacement for a decoration lost in 1889. This is the story of the 24th Cross.
Updated: Apr 1, 2024
Over the years there has been much conjecture over the issue of Memorial Plaques to the next-of-kin of members of the 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force who served in the Great War 1914-1918. Much of this has surrounded the issue of engraved and “late issue” plaques. This article seeks to clarify the history in New Zealand of the Memorial Plaque, with data drawn from primary source files held at Archives New Zealand.
Updated: Nov 18, 2023
This is the story of Donald Polson, a New Zealand hero who earned the Distinguished Service Order in South Africa but who later suffered from ill-health, and served in the ranks during the First World War.
