THE NEW ZEALAND GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 2002 (SOLOMON ISLANDS)

Obverse: A Crowned Effigy of the Sovereign.

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

Size: 36mm in diameter.

Ribbon: 32mm wide. Green with three narrow central stripes of dark blue, yellow and dark blue.

Suspension: By a plain straight suspender.

Instituted on 20th December, 2002, this silver medal was awarded for service with the International Peace Monitoring Team in the Solomon Islands.

Operational Area
Operational area means:-
(a) the group of islands that make up the Solomon Islands; and
(b) the archipelagic waters and territorial sea of the Solomon Islands.

Qualifying Service
A person qualifies for the award of the Medal under this regulation if he or she meets the requirements for eligibility and:-
(a) has served 30 days or more, continuous or aggregated, on land in the operational area while a member of a New Zealand Government contribution to 1 or more of the following:
(i) the Services Assisted Evacuation of New Zealanders and other nationals (Operation Purple Haze) between 5 June and 5 July 2000:
(ii) the International Peace Monitoring Team (Operation Minerva) or tasks directly contributing to the achievement of the mission goals or the maintenance of operational capability between 10 November 2000 and 22 June 2002:
(iii) the support of the International Peace Monitoring Team (Operation Ricochet 1) on HMNZS Te Mana, when disembarked, between 27 April 2001 and 14 May 2001; or
(b) has served 30 days or more, continuous or aggregated, in ships or craft in the operational area during the support of the International Peace Monitoring Team (Operation Ricochet 2) on HMNZS Manawanui between 14 October 2001 and 20 February 2002; or
(c) has had his or her period of service in the operational area terminated, before the completion of qualifying service, by death or evacuation owing to wounds or other disability caused by that service; or
(d) did not complete qualifying service, but has been given a New Zealand Royal Honour for gallantry or bravery in the operational area; or
(e) if the mission directive stated that the deployment was to be greater than the qualifying service in the operational area, has had his or her period of service in the operational area terminated before the completion of the qualifying service at the direction of the New Zealand Government department or agency that deployed him or her, where that termination is for official reasons (not personal or compassionate).

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

Regulations For This Award: View Regulations (PDF document)

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