The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Counter-Piracy)
Overview
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Counter-Piracy) was instituted in 2015 to recognise service of 30 days or more in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and off the eastern coasts of Somalia, Yemen, and Oman, since January 2009. The NZDF has partnered with international coalitions to fight piracy in this part of the world. In November 2013, the HMNZS TE MANA deployed as part of Combined Task Force 151 and NATO's OPERATION OCEAN SHIELD. Throughout 2013 and 2014, Air Force, Navy, and Army personnel served on a range of maritime counter-piracy operations in this area. Since 2015, NZDF's contribution to counter-piracy has been as part of the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO).
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 features a wide blue stripe with a narrow white stripe in the centre. The blue is flanked by thin red stripes and broad stripes of yellow at the edges. The colours allude to the vast Indian Ocean and other operational waters (blue), the countries and their coasts (yellow), and operational dangers (red). The central white stripe symbolises the Equator.
Eligibility
- For service between 1 January 2009 and 6 December 2014: New Zealand personnel who have served for 30 days or more with a New Zealand government contribution to counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and off the eastern coasts of Somalia, Yemen, and Oman, including:
- OP TIKI VI, VII, and VIII
- OP BARBARY I, II, and III (2010 and 2011)
- Some Third Country Deployments on Royal Navy Ships in the Greater Middle East between 2009 and 2014.
- For service since 7 December 2014: New Zealand personnel deployed in the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organisation (UKMTO) role. Until 2020, this role was deployed under OP PUKEKO and is now under OP TROY.
For full details:
Royal Warrant for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002(external link)
Regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Counter-Piracy)(external link)
Recipients
This medal has been issued to over 300 military personnel.
Queries & requests
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Wearing this medal
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Counter-Piracy) 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:
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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.
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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.