NZSAS Regiment marks 70 years

This June, seven decades of history will be celebrated at Papakura Military Camp.

The army camp is home to the country’s elite New Zealand Special Air Service (NZSAS) Regiment.

In response to questions from the Franklin Times, the Commanding Officer 1st NZSAS Regiment [name withheld] said in a statement that the 70th anniversary was an exciting milestone.

“One of the key activities will be the unveiling of new additions to our memorial area at Papakura Military Camp that will further tie us to the whenua (land) which we now call home.

“The memorial area is where we record our whakapapa (lineage), remember those who have gone before and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is the spiritual hub of our camp and so these additions will carry huge significance.”

He said that since its inception as a single squadron raised and trained at Waiouru in 1955, the regiment has undergone significant transformation.

“Throughout our history we’ve trained our members to deploy to some of the most challenging and complex environments across the spectrum of operations.

“From our initial deployment as a single squadron attached to the British 22nd Special Air Service Regiment serving in Malaya, our evolution to being the New Zealand Special Air Service Group and then finally to the Regiment of today, we have remained steadfastly committed to the goal of keeping New Zealand, its people and interests, safe.”

He said that over the past seven decades the regiment has contributed to the security and prosperity of partners in the Pacific and further afield alongside our ally and partner special forces.

“We’ve earned a reputation of being one of the world’s premier Special Forces, as well as being a reliable and trusted partner, which is something we are incredibly proud of.

“In our more recent history, we have brought online specialist capabilities including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron, which is employed almost daily keeping New Zealanders safe,” he said.

EOD was established in August 2005 before coming under operational command of 1 NZSAS Regiment as E Squadron in July 2009.

“A lot has changed within the regiment over the course of 70 years; evolving training methods, adapting to the changing nature of warfare, our physical home has shifted across New Zealand, and the hundreds of personnel and support staff who have dedicated considerable time and effort to support, enable and maintain the regiment.

“What won’t change is the operational experience, professionalism and the unrelenting pursuit of excellence that embodies every NZSAS soldier.”

Quick facts

• NZSAS was established on June 7, 1955.
• United States Presidential Citation awarded to the NZSAS by George W. Bush on December 7, 2004.
• Creation of the Commandos (then-Counter Terrorist Tactical Assault Group) in 2005, also known as D Squadron. *The NZ Herald reported in May that this has since been disbanded, but the NZDF has refused to confirm or deny whether this is true.
• A new $46 million Battle Training Facility opens at Ardmore in 2016.
• The Regiment has been based at: Waiouru Military Camp (1955-1959), Papakura Military Camp (1959-1995), Hobsonville Air Force Base (1995-2002), and Papakura Military Camp ‘Rennie Lines’ (2002-present).
• The motto of the NZSAS is “who dares wins”.

Source: Beehive.govt.nz

“When the 182 men arrived at Waiouru on the 7 June 1955, it spelled the start of a new and unique Army unit – the New Zealand Special Air Service Squadron. Today, it seems slightly ironic that an organisation famed for its secrecy should recruit its first members via ads in the newspaper. The advertisements certainly struck a chord – 800 men applied. Coming only 10 years after the end of the Second World War, and soon after the Korean War, many of them – you – were civilians and many had previous military experience. Accordingly, the competition to be selected was fierce – 49 men missed the cut!”

• An excerpt from a speech by former NZSAS member and then-Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Jerry Mateparae on Saturday, June 6, 2015 ahead of the 60th anniversary.