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Ten New Zealanders and visitors to Aotearoa have been formally recognised for acts of courage and self-lessness in the 2025 New Zealand Bravery Awards, announced today in a Special Honours List. These awards acknowledge individuals who placed themselves in danger while attempting to save others, celebrating courage that reflects the very best of our communities.
The honours list, approved by the King and published on 13 December 2025, includes recipients of the New Zealand Bravery Decoration (NZBD) and the New Zealand Bravery Medal (NZBM)-two of the nation’s highest civilian recognitions for courageous action.
Among those recognised with the New Zealand Bravery Decoration-awarded for acts of exceptional bravery-are Junior (Losi) Faamalosi Isaako, of Hastings, and a young person from Auckland whose identity is protected for privacy. Their actions were distinguished as going above and beyond the call of duty in perilous situations.
The New Zealand Bravery Medal, acknowledging acts of bravery, was awarded to eight individuals from across the country and beyond, including serving police officers and civilians alike. Those recognised include:
Sergeant Richard Mervyn Bracey and Constable Friederike (Fritzi) Faber, both of Auckland, for their role in confronting a dangerous fire and saving others.
Sergeant Harshad (Harry) Ashok Ghodke, Constable Alexander James Christian Henry Kerr, and Detective Sergeant Heath Courtenay Jones, who risked their lives in multiple water rescue situations.
Ms Susan Rebecca Burke and Mr Jonathan Jordan Young (posthumous) from Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, for their courageous efforts in river rescues.
Hayden Paul Cornwell, of Hamilton, also honoured for bravery.
These awards honour actions taken in moments of crisis spanning recent years, including dramatic water rescues and emergency responses that undoubtedly saved lives. One notable rescue recognised involved efforts in challenging conditions at Glenorchy’s Rees River, where several of the medal recipients assisted a child caught in strong currents.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers publicly congratulated the recipients, noting that both serving officers and members of the public demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment to the safety of others. He emphasised that such acts are deeply valued within communities across Aotearoa.
From Hastings to Hamilton, Auckland to the South Island lakes, these bravery awards reflect a nation’s respect for those who act selflessly in the face of danger-reminding us that courage takes many forms and often arises from ordinary people responding in extraordinary circumstances.