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 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 was sworn in as New Zealand’s 20th Governor-General for a five year term on 31 August 2011.
Our Trustees
Baden Ewart, Chairperson
Baden Ewart is the Colonel of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. After Baden retired from a senior position in the NZ Army, he worked in both the primary and secondary health care settings. Baden is currently the General Manager Operations for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA). He also served for a time as an appointed Director of the Northern Region South Island Order of St John. He is also a Trustee of the Rannerdale War Veterans home, which provides residential care in the community.
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 served in the New Zealand Army with operational service included deployments to Bosnia, East Timor and Afghanistan. Neville Reilly retired from the Army in 2009 in the rank of brigadier. Following his retirement, Neville served as New Zealand ambassador to Afghanistan in 2010-2011. Neville is currently the manager of Civil Defence at Environment Canterbury.
Steven Bourke
The Chief of Defence Force has appointed Warrant Officer Chef Steven Bourke as the NZDF Advisory Trustee. WOCH Bourke enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Navy in 1979 and has held a number of appointments throughout his career and has served on operations in support to NZDF force elements deployed to Afghanistan and to assist co-located coalition partners. WOCH Bourke attended the Australian Command and Staff College, Western Creek in 2008. In February 2014, he was appointed the 7th Warrant Officer of the Navy and assumed his current position as Command Warrant Officer Joint Defence Services in February 2017.
Alan Day, Secretary and Treasurer
Alan Day served in the Army Regular Force for twenty nine years, serving in Sth Vietnam in 1968/69. He retired as a Major and Director of the New Zealand Army Pay Corps in 1989. After retirement from regular service he served as a civilian staff officer with the Army for a further 21 years, as the Civil Administration Officer, Regional Secretary and as the Financial Advisor to the Commander of the 3rd Land Force Group, Burnham retiring in 2010.
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.
Kevin Burnett
Kevin Burnett enlisted into the New Zealand Army in 1978 and retired in 2015, serving in both the Regular and Reserve Forces. He was the CO, 1 RNZIR and Commander, ATG. Kevin commanded NZBATT 1 in East Timor in 1999/2000. Kevin is currently the Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Trust Deed
To find out more about who we can help and what we aim to achieve, please download our Trust Deed.
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