The New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Non-Warlike)

Overview

The New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (Non-Warlike) was instituted in 1992 to recognise service in non-warlike operations for which no separate New Zealand, British Commonwealth, United Nations, or NATO campaign medal was issued. Thirteen clasps have been issued for non-warlike (peacekeeping) operations since 1954 in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific. In 2002, the NZGSM 1992 was replaced by the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002.

The medal is still issued to New Zealand personnel currently serving in the Sinai.  This is because this operation commenced before 1 January 2000.  Operations that commenced on or after 1 January 2000 are recognised by the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002.

Description

The medal is bronze in colour and circular in shape.  On the obverse is the Crowned Effigy of the Sovereign surrounded by the legend: 'ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FID. DEF.'. On the reverse is the inscription 'THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL' within a wreath of New Zealand flora (pohutukawa blossom, fern fronds 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 dark blue with a light red centre and a narrow central white stripe. The design and colours of the ribbon are based upon the New Zealand Medal 1845-1847 and 1860-1866, thus are directly linked with the beginnings of New Zealand’s military history. As the first occasion upon which New Zealand had issued a war or warlike service medal outside of the two World Wars or the Vietnam War, it was considered that the link with the first military campaigns in New Zealand best reflected New Zealand’s military heritage.

The medal is always awarded with a clasp to describe where an individual served:  Korea 1954-57, Korea 1958-2000, Thailand, Sinai, Indian Ocean, Peshawar, Bougainville, Iraq, Somalia, Mozambique, Cambodia, Rwanda, Arabian Gulf.

Eligibility

NZDF personnel and civilians who served during non-warlike operations between 1956 and 1991 for which no separate New Zealand, British Commonwealth, United Nations, or NATO campaign medal was issued.  Regulations are issued for each clasp.

For full campaign clasp details:

• Korea 1954 – 57 Regulations (27 July 1954 and 31 December 1957)(external link)
• Korea 1958 – 2000 Regulations (1 January 1958 to 31 December 2000)(external link)
• Thailand Regulations (25 May 1962 and 15 December 1971)(external link)
• Sinai Regulations (25 April 1982 to present)(external link)
• Indian Ocean Regulations (21 June 1982 and 20 September 1983)(external link)
• Peshawar Regulations (1 April 1989 and 31 December 1991)(external link)
• Bougainville Regulations (1 December 1989 to present)(external link)
• Iraq Regulations (1 August 1991 and 18 March 2003)(external link)
• Somalia Regulations (26 December 1992 and 30 November 1993)(external link)
• Mozambique Regulations (1 February 1994 and 30 June 2005)(external link)
• Cambodia Regulations (1 March 1994 and 30 April 2005)(external link)
• Rwanda Regulations (1 August 1994 and 17 September 1994)(external link)
• Arabian Gulf Regulations (4 October 1995 and 31 December 2001)(external link)

For full medal details:

Royal Warrant for the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 (external link)