New Medal Struck
A new medal has been created for personnel who have served in counter-piracy operations. This medal recognises the valuable contribution that many of our people have made maintaining security in a region known to be unstable.
The first large deployment conducted was by HMNZS TE MANA last year but many smaller groups from our Navy have also deployed in support of these operations.
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Counter-Piracy) recognises our people who have served for 30 days or more in counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, Western Indian Ocean, and off the eastern coasts of Somalia, Yemen and Oman, since 1 January 2009.
We rely on the sea to transport 99 per cent of our imports and exports. Preventing piracy and deterring terrorism at sea directly contributes to New Zealand’s success and makes our Navy a valued partner when joining international coalitions to fight piracy.
