At the event. Photo: New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi

He was honored for his contribution to developing cooperation between New Zealand and Vietnam's police forces during his tenure.

According to New Zealand Embassy, Knowles is the first New Zealander to be presented with this insignia.

The Vietnam – New Zealand relations have enjoyed fine developments in various areas. At the same time, the cooperation between the MPS of Vietnam and the New Zealand Police also gained various good outcomes.

The two countries recently signed a cooperation agreement during the talks between the MPS and the New Zealand Police on transnational crime prevention and control, replacing the previous one signed in 2010.

In September, Deputy Minister Senior Lieutenant General Le Quy Vuong and New Zealand Commissioner of Police Michael Bush signed an agreement on cooperation in transnational crime prevention and control between the two countries./.