New Zealand disruptive pattern material

NZ DPM with Webbing

The New Zealand disruptive pattern material, also known as the New Zealand DPM, is the official camouflage uniform used by the New Zealand Armed Forces. It is very similar to the British Disruptive Pattern Material. Historically, New Zealand's armed forces used British DPMs, with the first issues of 1968 Pattern being made in 1980. These were replaced with the first of the New Zealand pattern DPM in 1984–1985, and there have been several iterations since. In the mid-1990s a quantity of British windproof smocks were purchased as the indigenously-developed DPM camouflage woollen "Swanndri" lost favour due to its weight, bulk and impractical cut. After a series of cheaply-made shirt and trouser iterations, a new pattern was issued in 1997; it resembled in DPM colour and cut the British jungle DPM shirt and trousers used until the late 1990s which were lighter in colour than the current British "Combat 95" pattern. They are high quality and feature double knees, elbows and seat. A lightweight 100% cotton DPM smock is issued, which has covered buttons and an integral hood.

Use

This dress is worn by all ranks of the New Zealand Army and New Zealand Defence Force for most forms of training and on operations. The shirt and trousers are New Zealand DPM in order to camouflage the wearer. New Zealanders serving on a United Nations missions wear the blue United Nations berets and badge as well as a black and white Kiwi badge and New Zealand flag badge on their left arms to identify them as New Zealanders. Medals, medal ribbons or coloured badges are not worn with this uniform as its main purpose is camouflage. When worn in the field, the sleeves are rolled down, and camouflage face paint is worn. Rank badges for all ranks are still worn on the shoulders.

In late 2008, New Zealand Army commenced issue of a new combat uniform. It is still New Zealand DPM camouflage, but now made in rip-stop material and in a new cut which is somewhat similar to the latest style of Australian DPCU,in that the patch pockets on the shirt are replaced by internal, vertical zip closure pockets. A camouflaged rank slide is worn on the front tab. The 1997 pattern, the DPM smock and the new 2008 combat uniform are also issued in desert DPM material for use in Afghanistan, the Sinai and Lebanon. The desert DPM material closely resembles the British 2-colour desert pattern.

See also

• Smock Windproof DPM
• Canadian Para Smock
• DPM Parachute Smock
• Disruptive Pattern Camouflage
• Disruptive Pattern Material

External links

• An example of New Zealand '84 Pattern' DPM
• NZ An later example of New Zealand '84 Pattern' DPM
• Soldiers wearing New Zealand DPM
• New Zealand and Australian camouflage patterns