History
The New Zealand War Service Medal was approved in 1946 to recognise New Zealanders who served during the Second World War, and it was the first distinctively New Zealand campaign medal, its New Zealand character marked by the fern-leaf motif on its reverse and suspender and the national colours of black and white in its ribbon. It was awarded in addition to, and worn immediately after, the standard Commonwealth campaign awards of the war.
It went to members of the New Zealand armed forces, the National Military Reserve and the Home Guard, and to the merchant navy and the naval auxiliary patrol, for twenty-eight days' full-time or six months' part-time service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945. Service ended by death or wounds on duty qualified at once. Some two hundred and thirty-eight thousand were issued. As a New Zealand campaign medal it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing among the foreign awards.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is circular. The obverse bears the uncrowned effigy of King George VI facing left, with the legend GEORGIVS VI D G BR OMN REX F D IND IMP. The reverse carries the inscription FOR SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND 1939-1945 above a fern leaf, a design by the historian John Beaglehole and the wood engraver Mervyn Taylor, and the medal hangs from a suspender also bearing the fern leaf.
The ribbon
Black and white, the New Zealand colours.
The ribbon is in black and white, the national colours of New Zealand.
Eligibility
The medal was awarded for service by New Zealanders during the Second World War.
- Members of the New Zealand armed forces, the National Military Reserve, the Home Guard, the merchant navy and the naval auxiliary patrol qualified;
- Twenty-eight days' full-time or six months' part-time service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945 was required; service ended by death or wounds on duty qualified at once;
- As a New Zealand campaign medal it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing among the foreign awards.
Order of wear
These are New Zealand campaign medals. In the Australian Order of Wearing they are worn among the foreign awards, after Australian honours and awards. In the New Zealand system they are worn in order of the date of the qualifying service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the New Zealand War Service Medal 1939-1945 awarded for?
Service by New Zealanders during the Second World War, in the armed forces, National Military Reserve, Home Guard, merchant navy and naval auxiliary patrol, for a qualifying period between 1939 and 1945.
Why is it significant?
It was the first distinctively New Zealand campaign medal, marking a step toward a national honours identity, its New Zealand character shown by the fern leaf and the black and white ribbon.
What was the qualifying service?
Twenty-eight days' full-time or six months' part-time service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945; death or wounds on duty qualified at once.
What does the reverse show?
The inscription FOR SERVICE TO NEW ZEALAND 1939-1945 above a fern leaf, designed by John Beaglehole and Mervyn Taylor.
How many were issued?
Some 238,000, making it one of the most widely held New Zealand medals.
How is it worn in Australia?
As a New Zealand campaign medal, among the foreign awards in the Australian Order of Wearing.