| 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment | |
|---|---|
.svg) Cap Badge of the New Zealand Special Air Service | |
| Active | 7 July 1955 – present |
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Branch |  New Zealand Army |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Special operations Counter-terrorism |
| Part of | Special Operations Component Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Papakura Military Camp, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Motto(s) | "Who Dares Wins" |
| March | The Liberty Bell |
| Anniversaries | 7 July 1955 |
| Engagements | |
| Decorations |  |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Lieutenant General Tim Keating, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, Major General Peter Kelly. |
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| New Zealand Army New Zealand Defence Force |
|---|
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| New Zealand portal |
The 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment, abbreviated as 1 NZSAS Regt, is the special forces unit of the New Zealand Army, closely modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS). It was formed on 7 July 1955. It traces its origins to the Second World War and the famous Long Range Desert Group that New Zealanders served with.
The New Zealand Government states that NZSAS is the "premier combat unit of the New Zealand Defence Force"[1] and it has been operationally deployed to locations including the Pacific region, Afghanistan, and the jungles of South-East Asia. Individual members of the NZSAS have received honours and awards, most notably the Victoria Cross for New Zealand awarded to Corporal Willie Apiata. In 2004, the unit was awarded the United States Presidential Unit Citation for its contribution in Afghanistan.
The NZSAS was accorded regimental status in 2013. It has the responsibility of conducting counter-terrorism and overseas special operations and performing the disposal of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive hazards for military and civilian authorities.[2]
- ^ "Army Today:NZSAS" (PDF). NZDF. 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ New Zealand Defence Force. "The 2013–2014 Output Plan" (PDF). New Zealand Government. p. S3–34. Retrieved 4 January 2017.