The New Zealand War Service Medal (NZWSM)
Overview
The New Zealand War Service Medal (NZWSM) was instituted in 1948 and is awarded to New Zealanders who served in World War II.
Description
The New Zealand War Service Medal is circular in shape and silver in colour. On the obverse is the uncrowned effigy of King George VI, facing left, with the legend 'GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP'. The reverse has the inscription 'FOR SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND 1939-1945' above a fern leaf.
The NZWSM was the first distinctively New Zealand campaign medal, which was emphasised by the use of the fern leaf motif on the suspender and the reverse, and the national colours of black and white in the ribbon.
This medal was issued unengraved, as were other Second World War campaign medals awarded for service for New Zealand. There are no clasps or bars for this medal.
Eligibility
- 28 days' full time service or six months' part time service in any of the New Zealand Armed Forces, the New Zealand National Military Reserve or the Home Guard between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.
- Eligible part time Home Guard personnel must have completed their six months' part time service between 16 August 1940 and 1 January 1944 (the Home Guard was disbanded in December 1943).
- New Zealand Merchant Navy personnel qualified after accumulating 28 days' service at sea.
- Members of the crew of an aircraft operated by a Civil Air Line registered in New Zealand, with an aggregate of at least 28 days' service, involving not less than 48 flying hours, must have been rendered outside New Zealand territorial waters.
For further details:
The New Zealand War Service Medal Royal Warrant (PDF, 128 KB)
Queries & requests
-
Service with the Home Guard
Individuals who completed six months' part-time service between 16 August and 1 January 1944 with the Home Guard are eligible for the New Zealand War Service Medal. Unfortunately, the military personnel files of many of those who served in the Home Guard have not survived to the present day. This is likely due to the New Zealand Army purging a large number of military personnel documents in the years following World War II.
If we do not hold a military personnel file for someone who served with the Home Guard, applicants must provide evidence of at least six months of service. This may include old copies of the NZ Gazette, copies of posting notices, or letters home. Evidence of service with the Home Guard may also be found by searching the National Library's Papers Past(external link) website. A photograph on its own will not be sufficient to prove service, but it could support other documents if the image is clear and the person is identified.
-
Wearing this medal
The New Zealand War Service Medal is worn as a war medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear. It is always worn after the War Medal 1939-45 and before the New Zealand Operational Service Medal.
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.