The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Solomon Islands)
Overview
The New Zealand General Service Medal (Solomon Islands) was instituted in 2002 to recognise New Zealand personnel who served in the Solomon Islands and its waters between June 2000 and June 2002.
Eligibility for this medal was later extended to New Zealand personnel who have served with the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), and New Zealand Police personnel who have provided support and assistance in re-establishing law and order, on or after 24 July 2003.
The NZGSM 2002 (Solomon Islands) has also been awarded for deployments to restore law and order following the riots of November 2021.
Description
The medal is silver in colour and is circular in shape. On the obverse is the Effigy of the Sovereign surrounded by the legend 'ELIZABETH II QUEEN OF NEW ZEALAND'. On the reverse, the inscription 'THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL' within a wreath of New Zealand flora (fern fronds, pohutukawa, and kowhai blossom) ensigned by a Royal Crown. The wreath of New Zealand flora adds a distinctive New Zealand appearance to the medal.
The ribbon is comprised of stripes of green, blue and yellow. These are the main colours of the Flag of the Solomon Islands.
There are no clasps or bars for this medal.
Eligibility
Members of the NZ Armed Forces, the NZ Police, NZ civilians, and any other persons who the Prime Minister may determine, who completed 30 days' operational service, or completed seven operational sorties on the following NZ Operations:
- OPERATION PURPLE HAZE, Phases 1 and 2, for Services Assisted Evacuation and direct support to the peace talks from 5 June 2000 to 19 September 2000; or
- OPERATION ZEPHYR for service transporting delegates to the peace talks from 6 October 2000 to 19 October 2000; or
- OPERATION MINERVA in support of the International Peace Monitoring Team or tasks directly contributing to the achievement of the mission goals or the maintenance of operational capability between 10 November 2000 and 22 June 2002; or
- OPERATIONS RICOCHET 1 and 2, for service with the Royal New Zealand Navy support of the International Peace Monitoring Team from 27 April 2001 to 20 February 2002; or
- OPERATIONS RATA I and II for service with the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) from 24 July 2003 to September 2013; or
- The New Zealand Police support and assistance to the Solomon Islands Government in re-establishing law and order between 6 October 2002 and 30 June 2017; or
- OPERATION SOLOMON ISLANDS ASSISTANCE for the maintenance of stability and resilience in the Solomon Islands following the riots of November 2021 from 2 December 2021 to 31 July 2024.
For full details:
Royal Warrant for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002(external link)
Regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Solomon Islands)(external link)
Recipients
The NZGSM (Solomon Islands) has been awarded to over 1,800 New Zealanders, including more than 475 New Zealand Police personnel.
Queries & requests
-
Wearing this medal
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Solomon Islands) is worn as a campaign medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear. Campaign medals are worn in order of date of participation in the campaign, operation, or peacekeeping mission for which the medal was awarded. This includes United Nations, NATO mission, and European Union mission medals. As a result, different individuals may mount their medals in different orders depending on the time served in theatre.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
-
Applying for this medal
NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAM) issues war, operational and service medals to current and former NZDF members.
If you or someone you know may be eligible, you can apply through our application page.
-
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.