The New Zealand Defence Force Commendation
Overview
In 2017, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Commendation was created for award by the Vice Chief of Defence Force (VCDF), the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand (COMJFNZ), the Chief People Officer (CPO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the Chief Joint Defence Services (CJDS) to military and civilian staff, and units, under their command.
The NZDF Commendation ranks with the Chiefs of Service Commendations and provides a non-medallic means of recognising outstanding achievement or service to the NZDF in an operational environment, in circumstances where the award of a Service Chief Commendation is not appropriate, or where the recipient may not be eligible for another form of commendation.
Description
The New Zealand Defence Force Commendation features a black ribbon mounted on a medal bar. A miniature NZDF Badge is mounted at the centre.
Eligibility
An NZDF Commendation may be awarded to a member or unit of the NZDF for:
- an act of gallantry or bravery that is worthy of recognition, but does not merit a higher-level award; or
- a singular accomplishment or outstanding performance of duty over time; or
- performance of a deed or activity considered by the Awarding Authority to be beyond the demands of normal duty and worthy of special recognition;
The NZDF Commendation may be awarded posthumously, provided the nomination is submitted to the Awarding Authority within six months of the date of decease.
Note: There is no Royal Warrant for the NZDF Commendation.
Queries & requests
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Wearing this commendation
Commendations are not included in the New Zealand Order of Wear. Military personnel wear Commendations awarded personally to them on their right breast in uniform, in a corresponding position to a full-size ribbon bar worn on the left side of the uniform. In civilian dress, these commendations may be worn on the lapel of the jacket (usually on the left side), at the recipient's discretion. In cases where full-size medals are worn on a lounge/business suit, these commendations are to be worn on the right lapel.
Members of a unit awarded a CDF, Service Chief, or NZDF Commendation are not entitled to receive or wear the badge awarded to individual recipients.
For more information on the wear and care of honours, medals, and awards:
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Nominating someone for this commendation
Nominations for commendations are made by submitting an MD592 through normal management and command channels for consideration by the relevant awarding authority.
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Checking if this commendation 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.