THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 1992 - NON-WARLIKE (IRAQ)

Obverse: A Crowned Effigy of the Sovereign.

Reverse: The inscription "THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL" within a wreath of New Zealand flora (Pohutukawa blossom, fern fronds, and kowhai blossom) ensigned by a Royal Crown.

Size: 36mm in diameter.

Ribbon: 32mm wide. Dark blue with a light red centre and a narrow central white stripe.

Suspension: By a plain straight suspender.

Clasps Issued: 13

This medal was instituted on 7th May 1992. It was issued in bronze to recognise service in non-warlike operations for which no separate New Zealand, British Commonwealth, United Nations or NATO campaign medal was issued. By the time it was replaced in 2002, twelve clasps had been issued for non-warlike (peacekeeping) operations since 1954 in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.

The medal is still issued to New Zealand personnel who are currently serving in Cambodia, Mozambique and the Sinai. This is because these operations commenced before 1 January 2000. Operations which commenced on or after 1 January 2000 are recognised by the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002.

The medal is awarded with a clasp to describe where an individual served. It is worn as a war medal, in order of date of qualification. The New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 has also been issued in silver for warlike operations.

The design and colours of the ribbon are based upon The New Zealand Medal 1845-1847 and 1860-1866, thus are directly linked with the beginnings of New Zealand's military history. As the first occasion upon which New Zealand had issued a war or warlike service medal outside of the two World Wars or the Vietnam War it was considered that the link with the first military campaigns in New Zealand best reflected New Zealand's military heritage.

The clasp "IRAQ" was instituted on 5th May 1994.

Qualifications for Award
(1) A member of the New Zealand Defence Force who has been so attached qualifies for the award of the Medal and the clasp if that member, while posted or attached to the New Zealand Defence Force deployed with the United Nations Special Commission on Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction,:-
(a) Has had, since the commencement of the 1st day of August 1991, 30 days or more of service, not necessarily continuous; or
(b) Has had, since the commencement of the 1st day of August 1991, a period of service that ended, before the completion of 30 days, by:-
(i) Death; or
(ii) Evacuation owing to wounds or other disability due to service.
(2) A member of the New Zealand Defence Force who has been so attached qualifies for the award of the Medal and the clasp if that member:-
(a) Has, at any time since the commencement of the 1st day of August 1991, been posted or attached to the New Zealand Defence Force deployed with the United Nations Special Commission on Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction; and
(b) Has been given for gallantry in the operations, on a specific occasion during the period of posting or attachment (being a period not amounting to 30 days),:-
(i) A Royal Honour, Decoration or Medal, of the status of a British Empire Medal or above; or
(ii) A Queen's Commendation.

Other clasps have been awarded for:
Korea 1954-57
Korea 1958-2000
Thailand
Sinai
Indian Ocean
Peshawar
Arabian Gulf
Somalia
Mozambique
Cambodia
Rwanda
Bougainville

Royal Warrant For This Award: View Warrant (PDF document)

Regulations For This Award: View Regulations (PDF document)

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