Royal New Zealand Naval Association Inc.

News release 5 April

The Royal Warrant and design for the New Zealand Defence Service Medal has been formally approved by Her Majesty The Queen. The first photos of the NZDSM can now be publicly released.

However, applications cannot open until the Regulations have been signed by the Governor-General. These approvals are expected shortly.

When applications open the first people able to apply for the NZDSM will be ex-Service personnel aged over 70. Further applications will be called for as processing progresses.

An initial NZDSM presentation will be made to a small group of ex-Service personnel and to three currently serving personnel at a ceremony in Parliament likely to be held on 14 April. The recipients have been contacted by the NZ Defence Force and have indicated their availability.

Regional medal presentations will be arranged by local RSA branches from late May 2011. Local RSA branches will have staff available to assist ex-Service personnel with their applications.

For further information please read the NZDSM FAQ sheet at http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdsm/faqs.html which is being updated regularly 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 NZDF Medals website.