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The New Zealand Armed Forces Award Obverse The New Zealand Armed Forces Award Reverse

The New Zealand Armed Forces Award

Overview

The New Zealand Armed Forces Award was instituted on 6 May 1985 and is awarded to Regular Force officers who served on or after 1 December 1977 and who have completed 14 years unblemished service. The Royal Warrant of 1985 included officers who had left the New Zealand military between 1 December 1977 and 5 May 1985.

The date of 1 December 1977 was chosen to produce common eligibility conditions in all three British Military Services and for consistency with the Royal Warrants for the long service awards for non-commissioned ranks and non-regular force personnel.

The 2020 Royal Warrant extended eligibility to Regular Force officers who had left the New Zealand military between 6 February 1952 and 30 November 1977.

Prior to the institution of the New Zealand Armed Forces Award, New Zealand followed the British tradition of not having a long service medal or award for Regular Force officers of the New Zealand military.

Description

The New Zealand Armed Forces Award is silver and circular in shape. The obverse features the Crowned Effigy of Her Majesty The Queen. The reverse displays two crossed swords behind an eagle with outstretched wings. A naval crown sits above the eagle, while two crossed fern fronds rest below the eagle. The inscription "New Zealand Armed Forces Award" surrounds these symbols, representing the three Services: Army, Navy, and Air Force. The reverse of the award was designed by Mr. Maurice Conly, MBE, of Waikanae, New Zealand.

The medal ribbon colours of dark blue, crimson, and light blue represent the three Services, while a black central stripe symbolises New Zealand. Mr Phillip O'Shea, New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary, designed the ribbon of the Award.

A clasp is awarded for each additional seven years of unblemished service. For each clasp, a silver rosette is worn on the ribbon when worn alone.

Eligibility

  • Regular Force Officers of the New Zealand Armed Forces who completed fourteen years of unblemished service at any time on or after 1 December 1977.
  • Regular Force Officers of the New Zealand Armed Forces who completed fifteen years of unblemished service between 6 February 1952 and 30 November 1977, and did not serve after this date.
  • Clasps are awarded for each additional 15 years of service.

For full details:

The New Zealand Armed Forces Award Royal Warrant (2020)(external link)

The New Zealand Defence Force Long Service Awards Regulations (2020)(external link)

The New Zealand Armed Forces Award Royal Warrant (1985)(external link)

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this award

    The New Zealand Armed Forces Award is worn with merit, efficiency, and service awards in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  It is worn after the New Zealand Public Service Medal and before the New Zealand Army Long Service and Good Conduct 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.

    Apply for unclaimed medals

  • 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