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

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 "RWANDA" was instituted on 23rd July 2002.

Operational Area
The operational area means the political boundaries and airspace of Rwanda, Uganda, and Zaire.

Qualification for Award
A member of the New Zealand Defence Force, or a civilian person who has been posted to, has been attached to, or has worked alongside a New Zealand Government contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' mission to Rwanda between 1 August and 17 September 1994 qualifies for the award of the Medal and Clasp if that member or civilian person:-
(c) had service for 30 days or more, continuous or aggregated, in the operational area; or
(d) had his or her period of service in the operational area terminated before the completion of the qualifying time required in paragraph (a) due to death or evacuation owing to wounds or other disability caused by that service; or
(e) did not complete the qualifying time required by paragraph (a), but was given a royal honour for gallantry or bravery in the operational area; or
(f) had his or her period of service in the operational area terminated before the completion of the qualifying time required in paragraph (a) due to the withdrawal of the New Zealand Defence Force from the operational area at the request of the New Zealand Government and the award has been approved by the Chief of Defence Force; or
(g) had his or her period of service in the operational area terminated before the completion of the qualifying time required in paragraph (a) at the request of the Chief of Defence Force for service reasons (not personal or compassionate) and the award has been approved by the Chief of Defence Force.

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

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

Regulations For This Award: View Regulations (PDF document)

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