The New Zealand Operational Service Medal

Overview

The New Zealand Operational Service Medal (NZOSM) was instituted in 2002 to recognise New Zealanders who have undertaken operational service since 3 September 1945. Operational service is defined as service exceeding the normal requirements of peacetime, involving a credible military threat from enemy forces, insurgents, or other hostile entities.

The NZOSM is awarded to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents in addition to any New Zealand, Commonwealth, or foreign campaign medals. It is awarded only once to an individual, regardless of how many times they have deployed on operations.

Description

The NZOSM is silver in colour and circular in shape. On the obverse, the New Zealand Coat of Arms indicates that the medal specifically recognises service on behalf of New Zealand. The reverse depicts a kiwi, facing to the right, with the inscription 'FOR OPERATIONAL SERVICE'. The straight line below the kiwi’s feet represents land, the wavy line represents sea and the background field represents air.

The colours of the ribbon allude to those generally regarded as the national colours of New Zealand, black and white. These colours were first adopted by the New Zealand troops in the South African War (1899-1902). They were used for the New Zealand War Service Medal; the New Zealand Service Medal 1946-1949; and the East Timor Medal . The distinctive design makes the statement that it is a New Zealand medal. When worn and overlapped with other medals the distinctive design remains visible.

The NZOSM was issued unengraved until 30 June 2009, except for those who had died on operational service. From 1 July 2009, all NZOSMs have been issued engraved on the bottom rim. For military personnel, the details engraved include the recipient's service number, rank, initials, surname, and corps / service. These details are as at the date of the operational service which qualifies him or her for the NZOSM.

Recipients of an unengraved NZOSM should contact NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAM) if they wish their medal to be engraved.  The best opportunity to have your medal engraved is when you need to add another medal (such as the New Zealand Defence Service Medal) to your mounted medal group.  

There are no clasps or bars for this medal.

Eligibility

New Zealand citizens or permanent residents who are members of the Armed Forces, New Zealand Police or any other persons whom the Minister of Defence might determine who:

• Have been awarded a New Zealand, Commonwealth, British, or other non-New Zealand campaign medal for operational service since 3 September 1945, provided that the particular campaign medal has been approved for acceptance and wear by New Zealanders; or who
• Under certain circumstances, have not completed the qualifying period for an approved campaign medal, but have completed a specific period of service in an operational area towards such a medal (generally seven days on the posted strength of a qualifying unit).
• Completed the following service for which there is no campaign medal:
  • Berlin Airlift - 1 September 1948 to 11 August 1949 (for operational service during the Berlin Airlift).
  • Southeast Asia (Malaysia and Singapore) - 25 March 1959 to 1 January 1974 (posted or attached for seven or more days with the Far East Strategic Reserve (FESR), the Australia New Zealand United Kingdom Force (ANZUK) or associated units).
  • Bougainville - 5 to 19 October 1994 (for operational service during the 'Bougainville Peace Conference').
  • OP MOA - In July 2025, CDF approved the award of the NZOSM to approximately 180 NZDF personnel who served in the Solomon Islands in April 2024 as part of OP MOA, which provided security and logistical support to the 2024 Solomon Islands Elections through the deployment of the HMNZS Canterbury and two NH90 helicopters for 26 days.
  • Service on the HMNZS Aotearoa deployment on OP WHIO 17 August - 25 September 2024.

For full details:

• Royal Warrant for the New Zealand Operational Service Medal(external link)
• Regulations for the New Zealand Operational Service Medal(external link)

Recipients

To date, the NZOSM has been issued to over 30,000 veterans, current serving military personnel and civilians. It is estimated that over 40,000 New Zealanders are eligible for this medal.