The King’s Service Medal (KSM)
Overview
The King's Service Medal (KSM) was originally instituted as the Queen's Service Medal in 1975 to recognise voluntary service to the community and service through elected and appointed office. The medal was renamed the King's Service Medal in 2024. Up to 60 awards of the KSM can be made each year.
Like the Queen's Service Order, the QSM was initially divided into two sub-divisions: “for Community Service” to recognise voluntary service to the community, and “for Public Services” to recognise service through elected and appointed office. This distinction was removed on 21 May 2007. At this time the design of the QSM was slightly amended to reflect the changes.
Description
The King's Service Medal is a sterling silver circle, bearing on the obverse the effigy of King Charles III and the inscription 'CHARLES III KING OF NEW ZEALAND'." The reverse features the New Zealand Coat of Arms surrounded by the inscription "The King's Service Medal" above and "for service – MO NGA MAHI NUI" below.
The ribbon has narrow red ochre (kokowhai) edges with a centre of alternating stripes of red ochre, white and black in a descending step pattern from left to right. The design is based on the Maori Poutama (stepped) pattern used in Tukutuku wall panels. It is usually interpreted as the “stairway to heaven,” but in this case alludes to “steps of service.”
Members have the privilege of adding the letters K.S.M after their names.
Eligibility
Individuals who have provided valuable voluntary service to the community, meritorious and faithful service to the Crown, or similar services within the public sector, whether in elected or appointed office.
Military personnel are not eligible for appointment to this Order as a result of their military service, however, community service performed in a civilian capacity can be recognised.
For full details see:
Queries & requests
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Wearing this honour
The King's Service Medal (formerly the Queen's Service Medal) is worn with medals for meritorious service in the New Zealand Order of Wear. It is always worn before the New Zealand Antarctic Medal.
For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:
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Nominating someone for this honour
Current serving NZDF personnel may complete an MD592 and submit the form through Single Service chains of command. Self-nominations will not be accepted.
Nominations for ex-serving personnel or civilians may be made by completing a nomination form and forwarding it to the Honours Unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. In-depth guidelines for making a nomination and the nomination form are available for download on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website.
For guidelines and documentation to make a nomination see:
Guide to Nominations for a New Zealand honour(external link)
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Checking if this honour was awarded
Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record. NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.
Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by filling out the form on the Service Record page.