NZ Defence Service Medal – Update Feb 11
Applications for the NZ Defence Service Medal (NZDSM) are expected to open in early April 2011 for the oldest ex-Service persons. Applications can only open after Her Majesty The Queen has approved the Royal Warrant and the Regulations have been signed by the Governor-General.
The proposed design of the medal has been finalised by the Herald of Arms Extraordinary and will be sent to The Queen shortly for approval. Manufacturing will occur once the design has been approved by The Queen.
Around 160,000 personnel qualify for the NZDSM and the Defence Force Medals Office expect to issue around 116,000 medals over the next three years. With such high numbers a priority programme is necessary and the Minister has directed that the priority will be;
1. Those living ex-Service personnel over the age of 70
2. Those living ex-Service personnel over the age of 60
3. Then other living ex-Service personnel.
Terminally ill ex-Service personnel will be given priority over all other applicants but will still need to apply in the usual manner.
Families of deceased ex-Service personnel will be invited to apply for their late relations’ (husband/father/mother etc) medal entitlement after the processing of the initial applications from older living ex-Service personnel is well underway, possibly in late 2011.
An initial NZDSM presentation will be made to a selected group of ex-Service personnel at a ceremony in Parliament in the first half of 2011. For logistical reasons it is anticipated that the majority of these personnel will be drawn from the Wellington area.
Regional medal presentations will be arranged by local RSA branches from late May 2011.
Interviews are taking place for additional staff to process the medal applications.
The hard copy form has been tested and the online version of the form is currently under construction.
For further information please read the NZDSM FAQ sheet http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdsm/faqs.html which is being updated regularly basis in line with questions received through the medals site.
Once the application process opens the Medals Office aim to deliver medals to those entitled to receive them as quickly as possible and will be providing frequent updates about the NZDSM Project on the website at medals.nzdf.mil.nz.