- Time Period: Post-WW2
- Year of Institution: 23 July 2002
- Country: New Zealand
The New Zealand Special Service Medal (NZSSM) was officially instituted by Queen Elizabeth II through a royal warrant on July 23, 2002. This medal is designed to acknowledge military service that wouldn’t typically qualify for a Campaign medal.
The New Zealand Special Service Medal Ribbons
There are three conditions under which the medal is awarded: New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing), New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami), and New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus).
New Zealand Special Service Medal (Nuclear Testing)
The NZSSM (Nuclear Testing) is a retrospective honor, established on July 24, 2002, and is bestowed upon individuals who were part of a New Zealand Government mission during atmospheric nuclear tests in the 1950s and one test in 1973.
The tests recognized by this medal were at Maralinga, South Australia, Malden Island, Christmas Island, Nevada Test Site, Enewetak Atoll, and Moruroa.
New Zealand Special Service Medal (Asian Tsunami)
he NZSSM (Asian Tsunami) was created on December 22, 2005, to honor those who helped after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
To earn this medal, you needed to serve for at least 7 days between December 26, 2004, and February 28, 2005, or for at least 14 days from December 26, 2004, to December 26, 2005. This service involved providing relief, helping with recovery, and aiding in reconstruction in countries affected by the tsunami.
New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus)
The NZSSM (Erebus) was created in November 2006 to honor those who served in the aftermath of the Air New Zealand Flight 901 crash on Mount Erebus, Ross Island, Antarctica, on November 28, 1979. Qualifying service includes activities like body recovery, crash investigation, and victim identification.
The New Zealand Special Service Medal Design
The medal is a round one made of gold-plated base metal. On the obverse, there is the New Zealand Coat of Arms, and on the back, there’s a lovely bouquet of native New Zealand flowers, including fern fronds, Pohutukawa, Manuka, Kowhai, and Mount Cook Lily. At the bottom of the bouquet, there’s a scroll that says “FOR SPECIAL SERVICE.“
This design is the same for all three medals.
The ribbon is 32 mm wide, and the ribbon’s design can vary depending on the circumstances for which the medal is awarded.
