The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Support to Ukraine)
Overview
In March 2026, Minister of Defence Judith Collins announced the Prime Minister's in-principle approval of the institution of the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Support to Ukraine). This medal will recognise New Zealand Defence Force personnel who have been deployed to Europe and the United Kingdom to support Ukraine's self-defence following the Russian invasion in February 2022.
As part of Operation Tieke, nearly 1000 New Zealand Defence Force personnel have helped alongside partners to prepare thousands of Ukrainian personnel for the battlefield.
Description
The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Support to Ukraine) is gold in colour and circular in shape. The obverse features a representation of the New Zealand Coat of Arms. On the reverse is a representation of a bouquet of New Zealand flora, composed of fern fronds and sprigs of blossom of pohutukawa, manuka, kowhai, and Mt Cook lilies with a scroll below inscribed with the words “FOR SPECIAL SERVICE”.
The ribbon is currently being designed by New Zealand Herald of Arms, Mr. Phillip O'Shea, CNZM, LVO.
There are no clasps or bars for this medal.
Eligibility
Detailed eligibility criteria, including the required number of days of service on Operation Tieke, are currently being drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel and will need to be approved by Her Excellency the Governor-General and published in the New Zealand Gazette.
Service recognised through a New Zealand Special Service Medal does not count towards qualification for the New Zealand Operational Service Medal.
Queries & requests
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Media
View NZDF's announcement of the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Support to Ukraine)
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Wearing this medal
The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Support to Ukraine) is not yet available for issue or wear.
In the New Zealand Order of Wear, special service medals are worn after war and campaign medals.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
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Applying for this medal
The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Support to Ukraine) is not available for application at this time.
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 for other New Zealand awards or medals, you can apply through our application page.
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Checking if this medal was issued
The New Zealand Special Service Medal (Support to Ukraine) is not yet available for issue.
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.