The NZ Volunteer Dress Regulation of 1882 (page 83) para 251 says that the NAV are to have the same uniform as the RNAV (page 209). This states that the buttons, para 111, are RN-AV in silver with gilt crown and anchor.
The NZ1889 regulations (page 102) para 7 state that the buttons are RN pattern with the letters N.A.V. in old English. Button to be gilt.
The NZ1895 regulations (page 127) NAV (page 132) are the same pattern as the 1889 button.
The only evidence that I have found of metal military buttons being made in NZ is from Robert in Palmerston North who had dies and produced buttons for a short period but the dies were stolen.
Just because a button has a NZ back stamp does not mean it was made here. Companies would have paid more to have their companies name on the rear.
It is folklore to think that because a button has a NZ clothing manufacturer and/or retailers name on the rear that is was made here!
Barry
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