The New Zealand Regiment was formed as the single Regular infantry battalion of the New Zealand Infantry Corps on 9 January 1947.
The NZ Regiment was reorganised in August 1947with the two Infantry Battalions in Jayforce joining the NZ Regiment:
1st Battalion – re-designation of the original regiment
2nd Battalion – re-designation of 22nd Battalion, NZEF
3rd Battalion – re-designation of 27th Battalion, NZEF
The 2nd and 3rd Battalions were disbanded in 1948 following their return to New Zealand.
The 1st Battalion, The NZ Regiment was deployed to Malaya from October 1957 as part the 28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade Group. Between 1958 and 1964 the NZ Regiment would rotate three Battalions through Malaya;
1st Battalion,(1957 to 1959)
2nd Battalion, (1959 to 1961)
1st Battalion, (1961 to 1964)
In 1963 the 2nd Battalion now based in New Zealand was reorganised as a Depot for the 1st Battalion.
On 1 April 1964 all units of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Corps were reorganised into the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment with the NZ Regiment becoming 1 RNZIR - 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
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