A national commemoration will be held on Tuesday 16 September at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park, Wellington. Please arrive at the Hall of Memories by 10:45am for an 11:00am start.

Please note that the Carillon Tower is currently closed for seismic strengthening. The Hall of Memories was strengthened in 2015 and is safe to enter. 

Carillon Tower seismic strengthening project

About Malaya/Malaysia Operations 

The Malayan Emergency (1948–60) arose out of an attempt by the Malayan Communist Party to overthrow the British colonial administration of Malaya.  

Over 12 years of conflict, New Zealand soldiers, sailors and airmen made a significant contribution to the Commonwealth effort to defeat the communist insurgency.

Between 1964 and 1966 New Zealand forces also helped the new federated state of Malaysia resist Indonesia’s Confrontation campaign in Borneo.  

Approximately 4000 New Zealand servicemen served in Malaya/Malaysia between 1948 and 1966. The New Zealand roll of honour records the deaths of 20 New Zealanders on operational service in these campaigns. 

Malayan Emergency (NZ History)

NZ and Confrontation in Borneo (NZ History) 

About the Malaya/Malaysia commemoration

The commemoration is held each year on 16 September. The date marks the establishment of the Malaysian Federation on 16 September 1963 and the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Day.