The Medallic Recognition Joint Working Group has been directed by the Ministers of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs to consider options, to undertake consultation, to prepare recommendations and draft eligibility criteria for the proposed New Zealand Defence Force Medal.
It is intended that the medal would recognise attested military service for New Zealand since 3 September 1945.
Note: Attested military service for New Zealand during the Second World War has already been appropriately recognised by the award of the New Zealand War Service Medal.
Operational service has long been recognised by the award of campaign medals and more recently by the New Zealand Operational Service Medal. With the exception of awards for long service, however, there is no medallic recognition for the many men and women in the New Zealand Defence Force who have not undertaken operational or special service. This includes, for example, those who have served only in New Zealand, in Singapore and Malaysia between 1966 and 1989, in the Antarctic on "Operation Deep Freeze", or on Compulsory Military Training (1950-1959) and National Service (1961-1972).
It is intended that the proposed new medal(s) would also be issued to the families of deceased service persons.
Any interested persons may complete this survey.
The survey will be open from 15 June to 23 July 2009.
Note: The award of the NZDF Medal(s) would not confer entitlement to War Pension coverage.
The NZDF Medal would be separate from the long service awards system. Eligible persons could be awarded both an NZDF Medal and a medal for long service.
Written submissions on the NZDF Medal by organisations and other interested persons should be made using the NZDF Medal Consultation paper.