Uniforms of the New Zealand Army



The New Zealand Army uniform has changed over the years from the original Armed Constabulary to the modern day NZDPM uniform.

Armed Constabulary uniforms
1846–1886 alongside the militia and the British Imperial forces were the Armed Constabulary. The forerunner of both the NZ Army and the New Zealand Police during the New Zealand Wars. A blue uniform very similar to the United States Army during the Civil war. Blue woolen uniform with red stripe down the pants. This was often worn with a Kilt or even a Māori Piupiu for getting across streams and rivers.

Boer War uniforms
1899–1902 Often wore a Pith helmet and brown khaki uniform and stockings. They also wore the Australian style Slouch hat

World War I uniforms
1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force wore Khaki uniform with Lemon squeezer or known as the Campaign hat and the mounted service pattern greatcoat. In combat the Brodie helmet was also worn. This was with Combat boots and stockings that wrapped around the legs.

World War II uniforms
2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force traditionally wore the lemon squeezer with red tape wrapped around with the NZ Badge and a Battle Dress uniform with shorts and short sleeved khaki shirt for North Africa. In combat the Brodie helmet was also worn.

Malayan conflict,Vietnam uniforms
British-pattern Battle Dress was worn until the 1970s, with "Jungle Greens" being used as field wear with Beret or Khaki Cap and Boonie hat

Current uniforms
New Zealand Army uniforms have historically followed the British pattern of the British Army Uniform with the high crowned "lemon squeezer" hat as the most visible national distinction. In 2012 it was announced that the MRH (Mounted Rifles Hat) was to become the standard Army ceremonial headdress with the lemon squeezer being retained only for colour parties and other limited categories.

British DPM was adopted in 1980. Modern field wear is New Zealand disruptive pattern material camouflage, which closely resembles British DPM field uniforms. On overseas service, a New Zealand flag badge and a white Kiwi on a circular black field with the words "New Zealand" are worn. The DPM uniform, with the addition of a beret or sometimes the Mounted Rifles Hat, is the usual working uniform and according the one most commonly worn. On 27 July 2012, the New Zealand Army formally announced the new Multi Terrain Camouflage Uniform will replace the NZDPM and NZDDPM patterns. It is intended that the MCU will be issued to all branches of the NZDF, with preliminary issue starting around mid-2013.