New Zealand Cross (1999)

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New Zealand Cross
Image:NZCross1999Rev.jpg Obverse (top left) and reverse (top right) of the medal. Ribbon: 32mm, bright blue.
Awarded by New Zealand
Type	Civil decoration.
Eligibility	Those performing acts of bravery in, or meriting recognition by, New Zealand.
Awarded for	"acts of great bravery in situations of extreme danger".
Status	Currently awarded.
Description	Height 52mm, width 38mm, (Obverse) silver cross pattée with six-pointed gold star on each limb. In centre there are the words 'New Zealand' within a gold fern wreath. Cross surmounted by gold Royal crown which is attached by a ring and a seriffed 'V' to a bar ornamented with gold fern leaves, through which the ribbon passes; (reverse) inscribed "FOR BRAVERY - MO TE MAIA".
Statistics
Established	20 September 1999
Total awarded	2
Precedence
Next (lower)	New Zealand Bravery Star

The New Zealand Cross (NZC) is New Zealand's highest award for civilian bravery.

It was insituted by Royal Warrant on 20 September 1999^[1] 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 great bravery in situations of extreme 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)".^[2]

Bars are awarded to the NZC in recognition of the performance of further acts of bravery meriting the award. Recipients are entitled to the postnominal letters NZC.

This medal replaced the award of the George Cross in respect of acts of bravery in, or meriting recognition by, New Zealand. The design of this medal was based on the original New Zealand Cross (1869), though with a change of ribbon color to differentiate it from the Victoria Cross.