THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 1992 - NON-WARLIKE (MOZAMBIQUE)

Obverse: A Crowned Effigy of the Sovereign.

Reverse: The inscription "THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL" within a wreath of New Zealand flora (Pohutukawa blossom, fern fronds, and kowhai blossom) ensigned by a Royal Crown.

Size: 36mm in diameter.

Ribbon: 32mm wide. Dark blue with a light red centre and a narrow central white stripe.

Suspension: By a plain straight suspender.

Clasps Issued: 13

This medal was instituted on 7th May 1992. It was issued in bronze to recognise service in non-warlike operations for which no separate New Zealand, British Commonwealth, United Nations or NATO campaign medal was issued. By the time it was replaced in 2002, twelve clasps had been issued for non-warlike (peacekeeping) operations since 1954 in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific.

The medal is still issued to New Zealand personnel who are currently serving in Cambodia, Mozambique and the Sinai. This is because these operations commenced before 1 January 2000. Operations which commenced on or after 1 January 2000 are recognised by the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002.

The medal is awarded with a clasp to describe where an individual served. It is worn as a war medal, in order of date of qualification. The New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 has also been issued in silver for warlike operations.

The design and colours of the ribbon are based upon The New Zealand Medal 1845-1847 and 1860-1866, thus are directly linked with the beginnings of New Zealand's military history. As the first occasion upon which New Zealand had issued a war or warlike service medal outside of the two World Wars or the Vietnam War it was considered that the link with the first military campaigns in New Zealand best reflected New Zealand's military heritage.

The clasp "MOZAMBIQUE" was instituted on 6th November 1995.

Qualifications for Award
A member of the New Zealand Defence Force who has been posted or attached to the Mozambique mine clearance programme (being a member whose service, while so posted or attached, has not been recognised by the award of a United Nations medal) qualifies for the award of the Medal and clasp if that member, while so posted or attached,:-
(a) Has had, after the 1st day of February 1994, 30 days or more of service, not necessarily continuous; or
(b) Has, after the 1st day of February 1994, had his or her period of service ended, before the completion of 30 days, by:-
(i) Death; or
(ii) Evacuation owing to wounds or other disability due to service; or
(c) Has, after the 1st day of February 1994, been given for gallantry in the operations, on a specific occasion during the period of posting or attachment (being a period not amounting to 30 days):-
(i) A Royal Honour, Decoration or Medal, of the status of a British Empire Medal or above; or
(ii) A Queen's Commendation.

Qualifications for Award to Seconded Personnel
A member of the New Zealand Defence Force, who, while seconded or attached to the Defence Force of another country, serves, after the 1st day of February 1994, with the Mozambique mine clearance programme, shall, if his or her service after that date with the Mozambique mine clearance programme has not been recognised by the award of a medal, qualify for the Medal and clasp under these regulations.

Other clasps have been awarded for:
Korea 1954-57
Korea 1958-2000
Thailand
Sinai
Indian Ocean
Peshawar
Arabian Gulf
Iraq
Somalia
Cambodia
Rwanda
Bougainville

Royal Warrant For This Award: View Warrant (PDF document)

Regulations For This Award: View Regulations (PDF document)

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