The Royal New Zealand Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Overview
Instituted in 1985 to replace the Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, the Royal New Zealand Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is awarded to naval ratings up to and including the rank of Warrant Officer who have completed fourteen years of unblemished service.
The Royal Warrant of 1985 backdated the eligibility for the New Zealand award to 1 December 1977 to include personnel who had been released since that time and required fifteen years of unblemished service. In 2020, the length of required unblemished service was reduced to fourteen years and clasps were added for each additional seven years of unblemished service. These changes are retrospective from 1 December 1977. Under the 1985 warrant, clasps were awarded for each additional fifteen years of unblemished service.
Non-commissioned RNZN personnel who completed their military service before 1 December 1977 required fifteen years of unblemished service to be awarded the Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
There are no post-nominal letters for this medal.
Description
The Royal New Zealand Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is silver and circular in shape, bearing on the obverse the Uncrowned Effigy of the Sovereign and on the reverse a representation of HMS Victory surrounded by the inscription "For Long Service and Good Conduct". The ribbon is dark blue and edged in white. The design, ribbon, and eligibility criteria are based on the Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal instituted in 1831.
Eligibility
Naval ratings up to and including the rank of Warrant Officer who have completed fourteen years of unblemished service.
Personnel who completed their military service before 1 December 1977 required fifteen years of unblemished service to be awarded the Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Under the 2020 warrant, clasps are awarded for each additional seven years of unblemished service. These changes are retrospective from 1 December 1977. Under the 1985 warrant, clasps were awarded for each additional fifteen years of unblemished service.
For full details:
The Royal New Zealand Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Royal Warrant (2020)(external link)
The New Zealand Defence Force Long Service Awards Regulations (2020)(external link)
The Royal New Zealand Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Royal Warrant (1985)(external link)
Queries & requests
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Wearing this medal
The Royal New Zealand Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal is worn with merit, efficiency, and service awards in the New Zealand Order of Wear. It is worn after the New Zealand Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and before the Royal New Zealand Air Force 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.