Long Service Medals

I am not sure if you are aware but there has been a review undertaken with regard the Long Service and Good Conduct Medals across the three services, Police, Fire, Prison and Customs.  This review has been completed and they are now in the final stages of implementation.   Note the principles were approved by the Minister of Defence in April 2011 but I am informed that there is now light at the end of the tunnel.  Principle 3 means that ‘Boys’ time is now counted towards the medal.  It is general knowledge that 14 years is the magic figure with a maximum of  three silver clasps being issued at 7 year intervals thereafter. Any service extending beyond the three silver clasp will be recognised by the addition of up to a maximum of three gold clasps again issued at 7 year intervals.  In order to gain the medal and all three gold clasps a person would have to serve more than 56 years.

APPROVED PRINCIPLES FOR THE MEDALLIC RECOGNITION OF LONG SERVICE IN THE NEW ZEALAND ARMED FORCES

Introduction
These principles, approved by the Minister of Defence in April 2011, are the foundation for a seamless whole of military career personnel policy in relation to medallic recognition of long and efficient service, and good conduct. All seven principles apply to any award(s) instituted for military long service from 2012.
Principle 1. All Regular and Territorial members of the Armed Forces of New Zealand, as defined in the Defence Act 1990, who serve for the required period and have a record of irreproachable conduct and character, are to be recognised by a long service and good conduct award, governed by a New Zealand Royal Warrant.
Principle 2. Generally, only service in the Armed Forces of New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom is considered eligible service.
Principle 3. The qualifying service for any award is to include all military service undertaken by an individual whose conduct and character have been irreproachable during the qualifying period.
Principle 4. The design of any new long service award is to be tri-Service in nature.
Principle 5. Any award is to be egalitarian.
Principle 6. The length of qualifying service for an award, and clasps to an award, should be the same as that required for other long service awards approved by the Sovereign for public sector organisations in New Zealand that is, NZ Police, NZ Fire Service, NZ Prison Service and NZ Customs Service.
Principle 7. An award may be annulled, forfeited and restored.