Medals Database > By Country > Great Britain (19th Century Campaign Medals)

The New Zealand Medal

Average Price:

£300 to £700
($380 to $900)

(The cost varies based on the medal’s historical significance, the recipient’s background, and the condition of the medal)

Time Period: Pre-WW1
Year of Institution: 1869
Country: Great Britain

The New Zealand Medal is a campaign medal awarded to Imperial and Colonial troops in the New Zealand Wars (previously known as the Māori Wars, Anglo-Māori Wars or Land Wars) of 1845–47 (and 1848) and 1860–66. The medal was authorized in 1869 for award only to survivors.

Imperial forces included the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The Colonial militia were recruited locally or in Australia, and included mobile forces like Von Tempskys Forest Rangers and the Arawa Flying Column from a Māori tribe for the guerrilla war in the New Zealand bush.

Colonial militia claimants had to prove that they had been under fire. Claims were finally closed for Europeans in 1915 and Māori in 1916.

The number struck was 1,957 (Imperial government) and 2,500 (Colonial government), total 4,457, of which about 4,400 were issued.

The New Zealand Medal Design

The New Zealand medal was designed by the brothers A. B. and J. S. Wyon. It is struck in silver, circular and measures 36 millimeters (1.4 in) in diameter. It has a straight bar suspender ornamented with New Zealand fern fronds.

The obverse shows an effigy of Queen Victoria facing left and wearing a diadem and veil, with the legend: “VICTORIA D: G: BRITT : REG : F : D :”

The reverse has a laurel wreath containing the year or years between which the recipient served, with the words “NEW ZEALAND” above and “VIRTUTIS HONOR” (Honor of valor) below.

The ribbon measures 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide, is of blue with a 10mm red center stripe. No clasps (bars) were issued.

More British 19th Century Campaign Medals

The Naval General Service Medal (1847)

The Naval General Service Medal was a campaign medal issued to officers of the Royal Navy and awarded retrospectively for naval actions.

The Central Africa Medal

The Central Africa Medal is a campaign medal awarded for service in Eastern and Central Africa and 1894-1898 in British Central Africa.

The Abyssinian War Medal

The Abyssinian War Medal is a medal awarded to those who participated in the punitive 1868 Expedition to Abyssinia.

The British South Africa Company’s Medal

The British South Africa Company Medal was sanctioned by Queen Victoria to troops who had been engaged in the First Matabele War.

The Ashanti Star

The Ashanti Star was a British medal awarded to members of the expedition against the Ashanti King Prempeh, in the Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War.

More Medals from Great Britain

Explore the rich history of British military honors through a captivating display of medals from different periods. Use the images below to learn more about the diverse array of decorations that have adorned the uniforms of British servicemen and women throughout history or use the button at the end to visit the entire UK medals database.