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New Zealand Campaign Medals - The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan)

Obverse View

The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan) obverse view
larger obverse view

Reverse View

The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Afghanistan) reverse view
larger reverse view

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 3800 NZDF personnel. Over 3000 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. See Regulation 10 of the Regulations for the NZGSM (Afghanistan). If a person qualifies for and is presented the secondary operational area medal and ribbon first (for example, for service on HMNZS Te Mana in 2004), then later completes the required service in the primary operational area (for example, with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan in 2011) they do not receive a second NZGSM (Afghanistan). Instead, they replace the secondary ribbon in their medal groups and ribbon bars with the primary ribbon.

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 Overseas Deployments page and Afghanistan page of the NZDF 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

9 December 2014 - Special Honours List:

• The New Zealand Gallantry Star - to two members of the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment (whose names are withheld for security reasons).

• The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration - to two members of the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment (whose names are withheld for security reasons).

• The New Zealand Gallantry Medal - to five members of the 1st New Zealand Special Air Service Regiment (whose names are withheld for security reasons).

20 April 2013 - Special Honours List:

• The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration - to Lance Corporal Leon Kristopher SMITH (T1002840), 1 New Zealand Special Air Service Group (Deceased);

• The New Zealand Gallantry Medal -

1 October 2011 - Special Honours List:

• The New Zealand Gallantry Star - to Corporal Albert Henry Moore (B1012323), Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
• The New Zealand Gallantry Decoration -

• The New Zealand Gallantry Medal - to Warrant Officer Class Two Denis Joachim Wanihi (D771492), Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment (The Duke of York's Own).

2 July 2007 - Special Honours List:

• The Victoria Cross for New Zealand - to Corporal Bill Henry Apiata, New Zealand Special Air Service.

• 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 in 2007 of the New Zealand Gallantry Decorations and the New Zealand Gallantry Medal have not been released by the New Zealand Government.

Personnel who have been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for their service in Afghanistan since Dec 2001 include

 

Recipients of the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration for their service in Afghanistan since Dec 2001 include

Media statement about the NZGSM (Afghanistan) Primary Operational Area

Media statements and news articles

concerning service by New Zealand personnel in Afghanistan

Other Campaign Medals awarded to New Zealanders for service in Afghanistan since 2001

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Medal for Afghanistan - NATO Operation Resolute Support - from 1 January 2015

The NATO Medal for the Non-Article 5 ISAF Operation in Afghanistan - for service up to 31 December 2014

United Nations Special Service Medal for service on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) - only the small number of NZDF personnel who have served with UNAMA are eligible for this UNSSM