6th Hauraki Battalion
 

Just a quick question for the New Zealand members.

Is this Battalion still wearing their own cap badge? I am sure I read somewhere that they had gone over to wearing the RNZIR cap badge.

If they are still wearing their badge, does anyone have a current issue badge for sale?

Many thanks

Ron

Hi, the former 6 Hauraki Battalion is now a company of 3/6 RNZIR, a reserve (Territorial) Battalion comprised of 3 companies: Auckland, Northland & Hauraki. The Bn catchment area is from north of Lake Taupo to the top of north Island, Hauraki coy Taupo to Auckland. (5/7 RNZIR has the rest of the north island, 2/4 RNZIR the South). Hauraki coy has Platoon HQ & Regular force Cadre based in Tauranga, Rotorua & Hamilton. The Hauraki reserve Soldiers still wear the same blackened cap & collars, with screwback washers to rear of cap & rear pins/butterfly clips to collars. (service dress jacket only) The other 2 companies in 3/6 have their own cap/collar badges, also based on their WW1 badges & interestingly Auckland company cap badge has a kings crown.5/7 & 2/4 wear the RNZIR cap badge but with their own unit collar badges.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...8&d=1545864110

Thanks for that NZEF.

I did not know I actually need three cap badges to complete a set of current NZ infantry cap badges.

My knowledge of NZ Army structure/insignia is limited so I found it very interesting. Good to see that they have kept the insignia of the older regiments to, I like that a lot.

How hard is it to get these badges? Most NZ militaria I have seen seems to be the older patterns.

Many thanks once again

Ron

No worries, yes some of the current badges & patches do come up for sale but usually are the more common types. (e.g RNZIR, or Logistics regiment) The 3/6 ones more scarce (especially the current Auckland & Northland badges) due to the small size of the units. Hauraki badges do turn up, but more often are the older brass coloured brass/gilt or anodised type. The versions worn prior the current black coloured ones, introduced c1999, can also be found with rear clutch pins & screwback posts.

Yes, I have seen those badges and almost bought one. Thanks to you I now know better.

Will just have to keep an eye out for them.