Skip to main content
New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) Obverse New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) Reverse

The New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal

Overview

The New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal was instituted in 2013 and recognises outstanding service across the whole of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). It can be awarded to all ranks of NZDF, Regular and Reserve Forces, and civilians, regardless of the recipient’s rank, grade, Service affiliation, or length of service. The Medal can also be awarded posthumously.

The DMSM is awarded for meritorious service where, in the opinion of the Chief of Defence Force, is outstanding and worthy of higher recognition than that of a Chief of Defence Force or Service Chief Commendation.

In 2013, the New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) ceased to be awarded. 

Description

The medal is silver and circular in shape, bearing on the obverse the Crowned Effigy of the Sovereign, surrounded by the Royal Styles and Titles for New Zealand.   On the reverse, the medal bears the inscription ‘FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE HE TOHU HIRANGA’ within a wreath of fern fronds surmounted by a Royal Crown.

Historically, crimson has been used in the design of long service and merit awards since 1830 in the British Army and since 1887 for distinctive New Zealand military medals, e.g. the New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal (1887-1931), the original and 1985 New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal. The ribbon of the New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal (1887-1931) was crimson with two narrow white central stripes. 

The ribbon of the 1985 New Zealand Meritorious Service Medal is crimson with a green central stripe.  The New Zealand Herald of Arms, Phillip O’Shea, CNZM, CVO, designed the DMSM ribbon by adding a narrow white stripe on either side of the central green stripe and a narrow yellow stripe at each edge. 

The colours provide a link with the two MSMs awarded in New Zealand and the historic New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal (1887-1931). Yellow alludes to achievement or brilliance. In heraldry, yellow also often refers to gold. Green is a colour associated with all three Services (Navy, Army, and Air).

Eligibility

The DMSM may be awarded by Chief of Defence Force in recognition of an act, conduct or service that, in the opinion of CDF, is outstanding and worthy of medallic recognition.

The award of the New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal does not confer a right to use a post nominal.

For further information:

Royal Warrant for the Defense Meritorious Service Medal(external link)

 

Regulations for the Defense Meritorious Service Medal(external link)

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this medal

    The New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal is worn with the Merit, Efficiency, and Service Awards in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  It is worn after the New Zealand Meritorious Service Award and before the New Zealand Police Meritorious Service Award.

    For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:

  • Nominating someone for this medal

    The Directorate of Career and Talent Management Services (DCTMS), HQNZDF, administers the Defence Meritorious Service Medal on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force. 

     

  • Checking if this medal was issued

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record