New Zealand Campaign Medals - The New Zealand General Service Medal 2002 (Timor Leste)
About the NZGSM 2002 (Timor-Leste)
The NZGSM 2002 (Timor-Leste) was instituted in 2007 to recognise New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and New Zealand Police personnel who have served in Timor-Leste since 28 April 2006, providing stability and security following the outbreak of violence in April 2006 and May 2006. The length of qualifying service is 30 days or 7 sorties.
To date, more than 1350 NZDF personnel and over 160 New Zealand Police personnel have qualified for the award of the NZGSM (Timor-Leste).
As at 4 August 2010, over 70 NZDF personnel and 25 New Zealand Police personnel are deployed to Timor-Leste.
An extensive account of the New Zealand and international involvement in Timor-Leste, and media statements on recent service by New Zealand personnel in Timor-Leste, can be found on the Overseas Operations page of the NZDF website.
About the ribbon
The proportions of the ribbon follow those used for the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992. The ribbon is comprised of stripes of red, yellow, black and white. These are the colours of the National Flag of the Democratic Republic of East Timor / Timor-Leste.
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 (Timor-Leste) 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.
Media Statements concerning the NZGSM 2002 (Timor-Leste)
- 15 April 2008 - Presentation at the Beehive of the New Zealand General Service Medal (Timor-Leste)
- 17 December 2007 - Medals to Recognise Service in Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands
- 30 April 2007 - New Medal to Recognise Service in Timor-Leste
Other Campaign Medals awarded to New Zealanders for service in Timor-Leste since 28 April 2006
The Medalha Solidariedade de Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal)
The United Nations Medal for the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT)
Note: The UNMIT Medal is only awarded to those who have been posted to UNMIT. Most of the New Zealand recipients of the UNMIT Medal have been New Zealand Police personnel.
The New Zealand Operational Service Medal
The Government of Timor-Leste's Medalha Solidariedade de Timor-Leste - for International Forces who have served in Timor-Leste during the same period
In 2009 the Government of Timor-Leste began awarding the Medalha Solidariedade de Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal) to the personnel of international forces who have served in Timor-Leste for 180 days or more since 1 May 2006.
The first presentation of the Medalha Solidariedade de Timor-Leste to NZDF and NZ Police personnel was on 16 February 2009 in Wellington. More information on the first medal presentation can be found in the media statements linked to below:
16 February 2009 - Timor Leste President honours Peacekeeping Personnel
Recipients of the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration for their service in Timor-Leste since 28 Apr 2006 include
- Captain Michael Peter De Boer, RNZE - Queen's Birthday Honours 2008
- Corporal Sean Anthony Ngatai, RNZALR - New Year Honours 2008
- Lieutenant Timothy Andrew O’Donnell, RNZIR - New Year Honours 2008 (Lieutenant O’Donnell was later killed on operational service in Afghanistan in August 2010)
Media Statements concerning service by New Zealand personnel in Timor-Leste
18 May 2010 - Defence Force personnel depart for Timor-Leste (this is the first "down-sized" rotation of up to 75 personnel, rather the previous strength of 140 personnel per six month rotation).
Other recent articles and media releases about the New Zealand Defence Force operations in Timor-Leste can be found in the Overseas Operations section of the NZDF website.
Campaign Medals awarded to New Zealanders for service in East Timor / Timor-Leste between 1999 and 27 April 2006
- The East Timor Medal
- The INTERFET Medal
- The United Nations Medal for the United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor (UNAMET)
- The United Nations Medal for the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET)
- The United Nations Medal for the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET)
- The United Nations Special Service Medal for the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL)
- The New Zealand Operational Service Medal