The King George VI New Zealand Memorial Cross has been awarded to the families of the more than 11,000 personnel who died while serving in the New Zealand Armed Forces during the Second World War.  

Up to two New Zealand Memorial Crosses are issued to the family of each individual. 

For deaths during the Second World War the first cross was awarded in the late 1940s or the 1950s to the mother.  If the mother was deceased the first cross was awarded to the father, or if he was also deceased to the eldest sister, or the eldest brother if the military service person had no living sisters. A second cross was awarded to the widow, eldest daughter or eldest son (in that order of precedence). If the deceased military service person was not married and had no children only one Memorial Cross was issued.

Supplied with a length of royal purple ribbon, so can be worn around the neck.