Colonel Brendan Fraher - MNZM in New Year's Honours

2/1/2009

Colonel Brendon Fraher (1965-70) was awarded the MNZM (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for his operational service to the New Zealand Army and Defence Force in this week’s New Year’s Honours.

Col Brendan Fraher, MNZM

Col Fraher served as the Commander of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in the remote Bamyan Province, Afghanistan from October 2007 until April 2008 where he was primarily responsible for the command and leadership of the 111-strong New Zealand Defence Force staff.

While he has lived in Wanaka for the past five years he has often been based in Afghanistan on operations since 2003.

Col Fraher said his award was unexpected and he paid tribute to the hard work of those he had served with during his time in Afghanistan.

‘‘New Zealanders should be very proud of the achievements of these people and the sacrifices made by them and their family members on behalf of our country.’’

He grew up in Halfway Bush and was head prefect at Otago Boys’ in 1970. After leaving school, Col Fraher joined the New Zealand Army as an officer cadet and graduated in 1974 from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Australia, where he was awarded the Sword of Honour for finishing first in his class.

Col Fraher has served his country all over the world, including stints in Singapore, Britain, and New York, where he was a military adviser to New Zealand’s United Nations diplomatic staff. He developed a close relationship with the local Hasari people in Bamyan, Afghanistan, and oversaw more than 100 community and construction projects.

Col Fraher’s honours citation said he had exercised calm and decisive control during multiple incidents, such as a rocket attack close to the NZDF Bamyan base, two soldiers accidentally shot while on patrol, and a helicopter crash involving six contingent members.