History
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan) was awarded for two qualifying areas of the Afghanistan campaign from December 2001. This medal, with its secondary operational area ribbon, recognises service in the areas outside Afghanistan from which the operation was supported, chiefly the sea and air service in the surrounding region rather than service on the ground within the country.
Under regulations approved in December 2018, personnel who completed the required service in both the secondary and the primary areas may be awarded and wear both versions of the medal, where previously only one was granted. As a New Zealand campaign medal it is worn in the Australian Order of Wearing among the foreign awards.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 is a single medal issued with a different ribbon for each operation, established by royal warrant in 2002 to recognise the service of New Zealand Defence Force and civilian personnel in operations since 1 January 2000. The medal is circular and silver-plated. The obverse bears the effigy of the reigning Sovereign. The reverse bears the words THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL within a wreath of fern fronds, pohutukawa and kowhai blossoms, surmounted by a Royal Crown. The recipient's details are engraved on the rim, and the operation is identified by the colours of the ribbon.
The ribbon
The Afghan ribbon with light blue edges added.
The ribbon is 32 millimetres wide, green with three narrow central stripes of red, black and red, and with narrow stripes of light blue added at each edge. The green, black and red are the colours of the flag of Afghanistan; the light blue edges represent the service at sea and in the air in the areas surrounding Afghanistan.
Eligibility
The medal is awarded for service in the secondary operational area of the Afghanistan campaign from December 2001.
- New Zealand personnel who served the required qualifying period in the areas surrounding Afghanistan, at sea and in the air in support of the operation, are eligible;
- Since 2018, those who qualified in both the secondary and the primary areas may wear both versions of the medal;
- 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 General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan Secondary) awarded for?
Service in the secondary operational area of the Afghanistan campaign, the areas surrounding Afghanistan from which the operation was supported at sea and in the air, from December 2001.
How is its ribbon different from the primary version?
It is the same green ribbon with red, black and red central stripes, but with narrow light blue stripes added at each edge for the sea and air service around Afghanistan.
Can a person wear both the primary and secondary medals?
Yes; under regulations approved in 2018, personnel who completed the required service in both areas may be awarded and wear both versions, where previously only one was granted.
What is on the medal?
The same as the primary version: the Sovereign's effigy on the obverse, and the medal's title within a fern, pohutukawa and kowhai wreath on the reverse.
Does it have a clasp?
No; the operation and area are identified by the ribbon rather than a clasp.
How is it worn in Australia?
As a New Zealand campaign medal, among the foreign awards in the Australian Order of Wearing.