The first award to a New Zealander came in 1864 when Charles Heaphy received a Victoria Cross for his actions during the Invasion of Waikato during the New Zealand Wars. Since then there has been one award to a New Zealander serving during the Second Boer War, 11 during the First World War, and nine in the Second World War. There were no awards to New Zealanders for service during the Korean War or the Vietnam War.