A registered charitable trust
The Police Memorial Trust of New Zealand is a registered charitable trust, dedicated to advancing education, awareness and appreciation of fallen Police staff. Our key purpose is to fund, coordinate and develop a national Police memorial to commemorate fallen New Zealand Police staff.
How the Trust came to be
In 2013, the New Zealand Police Awards Advisory Committee commissioned a Recognition Project. Its goal was to improve how New Zealand Police honours staff who die in the line of duty.
Research traced fallen Police staff back to 1886. To be recognised as fallen Police staff, a person must have:
- Been a New Zealand Police employee (sworn, non-sworn, or in direct support).
- Died while on duty and during the execution of their duties.
- Died as a direct result of injuries received in service.
105 names have been identified through this work — a combination of previously recognised names and further names added through research. There was strong support from families, serving officers and the wider Police community for ensuring all who qualify are recognised.
Note: the exact split of previously recognised versus newly added names is being confirmed with New Zealand Police before publication.
The gap this Trust addresses
- No public national memorial is currently dedicated to fallen New Zealand Police staff.
- No dedicated space exists where families and communities can gather, reflect and commemorate those who died serving their community.
- Access is restricted at the Memorial Wall at the Royal New Zealand Police College, which is not accessible to the public or families.
- Scope is limited — that wall commemorates only those members of New Zealand Police killed in the line of duty by a criminal act.
Our charitable mission
The Police Memorial Trust of New Zealand is a registered charitable trust established to advance education, awareness and appreciation of fallen Police staff. Our key purpose is to fund, coordinate and develop a national Police memorial to commemorate fallen New Zealand Police staff.
Board, trustees and partnerships
Mike Hill
Former sworn Police Officer
Rachael Bambery
Current serving New Zealand Police senior leader
John Wills
Former sworn Police Officer
Braydon Lenihan
Former sworn Police Officer
PMTONZ works with a Governance Group consisting of the Commissioner's representatives, the New Zealand Police Association and the Police Leaders' Guild, under a Memorandum of Understanding. This ensures alignment while maintaining the independence of each party.