Our Mission
When our servicemen and women fall doing their duty for all New Zealanders, the New Zealand Fallen Heroes Trust believes it is our duty to support them, and their immediate family members, to live full lives.
The New Zealand Fallen Heroes Trust aims to fund projects that make a real difference in the lives of our Fallen Heroes and their families.
If a member of our armed services is wounded or injured while on military service the impact on their future and that of their immediate family can be significant. While service personnel can access the health and social services available to all New Zealanders, we believe that their sacrifice on behalf of all New Zealand deserves to be recognised with the additional support we can provide.
We also aim to make a difference for the family left behind if their loved one is tragically killed while on active duty, by helping them lead full lives and achieve their aspirations, despite their loss.
Our charity is focused on helping casualties (killed or injured) of New Zealand’s overseas deployments (since January 1999) and their immediate family members, which includes:
- Partner of casualties, widow, widower or former partner of deceased
- Children and step-children 25 years and under of casualties and deceased
The Trust’s contribution will be tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual’s and dependents.
We are also working closely with the New Zealand Defence Force to identify people we can help.
If you or someone you know believe you might benefit from our support, please let us know how we can help. Get Support Here
Our Patron
Sir Jerry Mateparae
Lieutenant General The Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO, KStJ
Sir Jerry Mateparae enlisted as a soldier with the Regular Force of the New Zealand Army in 1972. He served in both battalions of the infantry and with the New Zealand Special Air Service. He was appointed Chief of Army in 2002 and Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force with the rank of Lieutenant General in 2006. Retiring from the NZDF in January 2011, he was appointed as Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau. Sir Jerry Mateparae served as New Zealand's 20th Governor-General from 2011-16, and as High Commissioner of New Zealand to the UK between 2017 and 2020.
Our Trustees
Baden Ewart, Chairperson
Baden Ewart served in several senior roles in the New Zealand Army and was for a time appointed as the Colonel of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. After retiring from the Army, Baden worked in several hospital and primary care agencies within the health system. His public sector appointments include senior roles within the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), Civil Defence and Emergency Management, and as a Canterbury Controller during the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Baden has held several trustee roles on service-related charities and is currently Chair of the Rannerdale Trust. He was also a member of the Veterans Advisory Board to the Minister for Veterans.
James Moohan
James Moohan served in the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment between 1986 – 2014, serving on operational deployments to Bosnia, East Timor and Afghanistan. He served in both Regular Force Battalions and was RSM 2/1 RNZIR and Army Command Schools. Following his retirement he has held numerous positions in business and is currently the Principal Executive Officer for Vertical Horizonz Australia.
Leith Comer
Leith Comer graduated with distinction from the United States Army Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, commanded the NZ contingent in the MFO Sinai and commanded the 2nd/1st Battalion RNZIR. He later became the Hon. Col. of 2nd/1st. Leith retired from the military in 1989 as a Lieutenant Colonel to work as a public servant. He is a former Chief Executive of Te Puni Kōkiri. Leith is currently a Director of Aratahi Ltd, a consultancy involved in Maori economic development, governance and Maori -Chinese relations.
Neville Reilly
Neville Reilly enlisted in the New Zealand Army in 1970. His operational service included deployments to Bosnia, East Timor and Afghanistan. During his career he commanded Queen Alexandra’s Rifles and later was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps, an appointment he held for four years. Neville retired from the Army in 2009 in the rank of brigadier. He served as New Zealand Ambassador to Afghanistan in 2010-2011 and later as Regional Manager/Group Controller for Civil Defence in Canterbury until 2021.
Brendon Fraher
Brendon graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1974 having been awarded the Sword of Honour. He served in both Regular Force Infantry Battalions and was CO 2/1RNZIR. He is a graduate of the British Staff College, Camberley and the Australian Joint Services Staff College. He saw operational service in Rhodesia and Afghanistan and retired from the Regular Force in 2009 as a Colonel. Brendon brings personal experience in his role as a trustee. His wife was tragically killed by a "hit and run" driver while the family were serving overseas.
Trust Deed
To find out more about who we can help and what we aim to achieve, please download our Trust Deed.
Download
How we manage our contributions – download the audit report
Audit Report Financial Report
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