Rare New Zealand Cross to Dr Isaac Featherston up for Auction

A once‑in‑a‑lifetime piece of New Zealand history is about to go under the hammer. One hundred and fifty years after it was awarded to Dr Isaac Featherston in 1875, his exceptionally rare New Zealand Cross will headline Mowbray Collectables’ Medal, Coin and Stamp Auctions on 20–21 March 2026 - with an estimate of $200,000.

Only 23 New Zealand Crosses were ever awarded to Volunteers during the turbulent 1860s–70s, making it the rarest British gallantry decoration - far scarcer than the Victoria Cross. The last example sold publicly, in London in 2011, realised £115,000. With most surviving crosses held in museums, opportunities for collectors to acquire one are almost unheard of.

Dr Featherston, a towering figure in early New Zealand politics, was the first elected Superintendent of Wellington Province from 1853 to 1871. He championed democratic government, secured the shift of Parliament from Auckland to Wellington in 1865, and fought for compensation for settlers misled by the New Zealand Company - even duelling William Wakefield in the process. His leadership helped lay the foundations of Wellington’s roading and shipping infrastructure.

While keeping peace with Wellington Māori, Featherston’s mana led Māori allied to the Government to call him to lead them and so in 1866, he earned his New Zealand Cross for bravery under fire.

The March auctions will showcase a record $750,000 in medals, coins and banknotes, alongside more than $1 million in stamps. Among the standout military honours is the very first Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) awarded to a New Zealander - Leslie Wallace of Invercargill - estimated at $20,000. Wallace received the medal in 1942 after saving a Lancaster bomber over Germany by pushing burning marker flares out of the aircraft while wounded and under constant fire.

Also featured is a rare Korean War Military Medal group, estimated at $9,000, awarded to Bruce Redfearn of Nelson for laying telephone cables under heavy fire - one of only seven awards to kiwis.

Full details coming soon.