The Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration
Overview
The Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration was instituted in 1985, with eligibility backdated to also include officers who had retired between 1 December 1977 and 5 May 1985. It is awarded to Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve officers who have completed fourteen years of service. For those who first enlisted on or before 30 June 2021, at least twelve of the fourteen years must be efficient. For those attested on or after 1 July 2021, all fourteen years must be efficient.
Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters VRD after their name.
Clasps are awarded for each additional seven years of efficient service.
Awards issued between 1985 and 2020 were assessed under the longer length of service (fifteen years for the decoration and ten years for each clasp) specified in the 1985 Royal Warrant. Recipients who now qualify for a first clasp or extra clasp(s) under the criteria in the 2020 Regulations (fourteen years for the decoration and seven years for each clasp) can apply for their clasp.
Description
The Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration is identical to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration instituted in 1908 and adopted by New Zealand in 1925.
The medal is the Royal Cypher in gold surrounded by an oval loop of silver rope, tied at the base in a sailor’s knot, and surmounted by a Royal Crown in gold.
The ribbon is blue with 2 central narrow crimson stripes separated by a broader green stripe.
The clasp is gilt and oblong in shape and bears the Royal Cypher.
Eligibility
Officers of Our Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve and Our Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, serving on or after 1 December 1977, who complete the following service:
- For those who first enlisted on or before 30 June 2021, fourteen years of service, at least twelve which must be efficient.
- For those attested on or after 1 July 2021, all fourteen years must be efficient.
- Clasps are awarded for each additional seven years of efficient service.
For full details:
The Royal New Zealand Naval Reserves Officers' Decorations Royal Warrant (2020)(external link)
The New Zealand Defence Force Long Service Awards Regulations (2020)(external link)
The Royal New Zealand Naval Reserves Officers’ Decorations Royal Warrant (1985)(external link)
Queries & requests
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Wearing this medal
The Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration is worn with the merit, efficiency, and service awards in the New Zealand Order of Wear. It is worn after the Royal New Zealand Naval Reserve Decoration and before the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
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.