However, the British Government considered that it would be premature to establish such a formation, and it should be regarded as a long-term goal for New Zealand given shortages of tanks and the time needed to train armoured vehicle crews.

[2] After further consideration, the New Zealand Cabinet formally approved the establishment of an army tank brigade on 31 July 1941.

[6] Brigadier Graham Beresford Parkinson was selected as the brigade's commander, and arrived in New Zealand during November 1941 after returning from Egypt.

[5][7] At the time of the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, the full complement of tanks for the brigade still hadn't arrived in New Zealand.

This was approved by the New Zealand Government in early September, with the 3rd Tank Battalion being selected as the first unit to be dispatched to the Middle East for that purpose.

[13] The 1st Tank Battalion was used for home defence purposes until it was disbanded in June 1943, with most of its personnel being posted to the Middle East.