New Zealand Defence Service Medal
| New Zealand Defence Service Medal | |
|---|---|
|
Above: Medal and Inverse with Clasps shown
Bottom: Ribbon bar of the medal | |
| Type | Service medal |
| Awarded for | Attested military service since 3 September 1945 |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Eligibility | Ex-Service persons and currently serving NZDF military personnel who meet the criteria set out in the Royal Warrant and associated regulations |
| Clasps | REGULAR TERRITORIAL C.M.T. NATIONAL SERVICE |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | April 2011 |
| Total | 85,000 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Cadet Forces Medal |
| Next (lower) | Rhodesia Medal |
The New Zealand Defence Service Medal (NZDSM) is a military service medal awarded to former and current members of the New Zealand Defence Force, for qualifying service since 3 September 1945. It is expected that at least 160,000 former service personnel and more than 7,000 currently serving NZDF personnel are eligible to receive the medal.
Eligibility is defined in the Royal Warrant and NZDSM Medal Regulations, dated 6 April 2011 and 13 April 2011 respectively.
Serving NZDF personnel are awarded the medal automatically once the eligibility criteria are met. Former service members, and families of deceased service members should apply to the NZDF Medals Office.