NZDSM Miniature Medal

The following was published in the Sunday Herald on 9 October 2011
MINI MEDALS
Up to 10,000 miniature New Zealand Defence Service Medals are 17mm in Diameter, not the standard 18mm, and have been sent to vets since April. Defence Froce spokesman Donald Robinson said the department had ordered fresh stocks in the 18mm size.
On a request from a member, I sent a request to the NZDF to determine if the issued 17mm medals would be replaced by the standard 18mm and the following response was received.
The Medals Office expect stocks of the 18mm miniature to arrive by the end of October. From this time ex Service personnel who have more than one medal will receive the 18mm miniature with their full size NZDSM. The 17mm miniature will be issued to those who will only receive the NZDSM.
Please note that ex-Service personnel who have already received the 17mm miniature will not be able to exchange them.