New Zealand Campaign Medals - The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan)
Note: The NZGSM (Afghanistan) above is shown with the ribbon for the primary operational area.
About the NZGSM (Afghanistan) primary operational area
The NZGSM (Afghanistan) was instituted in 2002 to recognise New Zealand personnel (both military and non military) who served in Afghanistan from December 2001. There are two qualifying geographical areas for the award. The ‘primary' operational area is within the borders of Afghanistan itself, while the ‘secondary' operational area includes areas of other countries in which forces were based to participate in the operation. Different medal ribbons denote the primary and secondary areas.
The NZGSM (Afghanistan) has been awarded to over 3200 NZDF personnel. Over 2400 personnel have received the medal for service in the primary area; with over 800 personnel having completed the required qualifying service in the secondary area. The NZGSM (Afghanistan) primary operational area has also been awarded to New Zealand Police personnel and to nine New Zealand Red Cross aid workers.
Personnel who complete the required amounts of qualifying service in both the secondary and primary operational areas are only awarded one NZGSM (Afghanistan), and must wear it with the ribbon for the primary operational area.
Further information on service by New Zealand personnel in Afghanistan and in the surrounding countries can be found in the media statements listed below, on the Current Missions page of the NZDF website, the NZ Army website, the RNZAF website and on the Medals Listed by Campaign table.
About the ribbon
The proportions of the ribbon for the primary operational area follow those used for the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 and the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Solomon Islands).
The ribbon is comprised of stripes of black, red and green. These colours have been used as the basic colours of a variety of traditional Afghanistan flags since 1900, and in 1929 were recognised as the national colours of the country. It is generally accepted that black alludes to the past, red to blood shed for independence, and green to hope. Green also represents the Islamic faith and is regarded as a sacred colour.
Royal Warrant
The Royal Warrant for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 can be viewed here.
Medal Regulations
The Regulations for the New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan) can be viewed here.
Clasps and Bars
There are no clasps or bars for this medal.
Order of Wear
The position of this medal in the Wearing of Medals in New Zealand Table can be viewed here.
Recipients of New Zealand Gallantry Awards for their actions in Afghanistan
2 July 2007 - Special Honours List:
• The Victoria Cross for New Zealand - to Corporal Bill Henry Apiata, NZSAS.
• The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration - to two members of the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Group.
• The New Zealand Gallantry Medal - to one member of the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Group.For security reasons, the names of the recipients of the New Zealand Gallantry Decorations and the New Zealand Gallantry Medal have not been released by the New Zealand Government.
Recipients of the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration for their service in Afghanistan since Dec 2001 include
- • Colonel John Boswell, NZ Army - New Year's Honours 2012
- • Major Suzanne Lynn Carter, RNZNC - New Year's Honours 2011
- - also see 15 February 2011 - “Bamiyan Babies” Nurse coordinator honoured in New Years list (as published in Army News, Issue 417, p.5)
Media statements and news articles
concerning service by New Zealand personnel in Afghanistan
- 4 October 2011 - NZSAS - Return to NZ of LCPL Leon Smith
- 28 September 2011 - NZSAS Afghanistan - Death of a trooper
- 27 September 2011 - Kiwis return from deployment to Afghanistan
- 19 September 2011 - Incident in Bamyan province, Afghanistan
- 11 September 2011 - Kiwis depart for six month deployment to Afghanistan
- 30 August 2011 - Corporal Doug Grant farewelled at Linton
- 22 August 2011 - NZDF release name of SAS trooper killed in attack
- 19 August 2011 - NZSAS trooper killed in Kabul
- 17 February 2011 - Private Kirifi Mila farewelled at Kiwi Base in Bamyan Province
- 16 February 2011 - Death of Private Kirifi Mila on operations in Afghanistan
- 15 February 2011 - “Bamiyan Babies” Nurse coordinator honoured in New Years list
- 11 February 2011 - NZ soldiers assist in explosives incident in Afghanistan