The next of kin of deceased servicemen received a silver New Zealand Memorial Cross, to be hung around the neck from a narrow purple satin ribbon. For the Korean and Malayan campaigns a similar cross was awarded, but the neck ribbon was replaced by a brooch pin affixed to the back of the cross. The name of the deceased was engraved on the back of each cross. These crosses were issued to mothers and, where the deceased was married, another cross was issued to the widow. Where the deceased's mother or wife had predeceased him, the crosses were issued to fathers or the eldest child, as the case might be.

by Capt. Geoffrey Troughear Stagg, F.R.N.S.N.Z., R.N.Z.A. (retired), formerly President of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand, Wellington.