It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and civilians under military command, and is presented to the recipient by the governor-general of New Zealand during an investiture held at Government House, Wellington.

The medal itself is made of gunmetal derived from cannons captured by the British in 19th century campaigns in either Russia or China.

Australia and Canada also have their own versions of the Victoria Cross which are used as the highest award for gallantry by military personnel of those countries.

The Queen signed a royal warrant on 29 January 1856 that officially instituted the VC, and made it retroactive to 1854 to recognise acts of valour performed during the Crimean War.

[3][4] A single company of jewellers, Hancocks of London, has been responsible for the production of every VC to date, including the prototypes.

The proof example is in the medal collection at Windsor Castle while the original specimen was initially retained by the Hancocks family.

[7] In New Zealand, this process began in 1975 with the introduction of the Queen's Service Order, awarded to civilians, as a supplement to the British honours system.

In particular it was proposed that the existing VC, as the highest level of gallantry award, be replaced with the Victoria Cross for New Zealand.

The proposal was announced in May 1998 and formally came into effect the following year, being instituted by Elizabeth II in her capacity as monarch of New Zealand.

[7] The decoration is a cross pattée, having straight edges and approximately 36 millimetres (1.4 in) square, bearing a crown surmounted by a lion, and the inscription "For Valour".

When gunfire from one of the obscured vehicles provided a distraction, Apiata led the trio to link up with the others of the troop although the wounded man could only cover a short distance before collapsing.

Helen Clark, then the prime minister of New Zealand, put forward the nomination to Buckingham Palace for royal assent.