About the South-East Asia 1950-2011 REVIEW
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Submissions (now closed)
Reporting Date, More Information and FAQs
Updates on the South-East Asia 1950-2011 Review
9 March 2012
The Medallic Recognition Joint Working Group received 68 submissions on service in South-East Asia. After considering the submissions, the Joint Working Group submitted an interim report to the Minister of Defence in November 2011.
The Joint Working Group is currently undertaking further archival research and will then finalise its report and recommendations. The Joint Working Group expects to present its final report to the Government by 1 May 2012.
The Government's decisions on the recommendations from the Joint Working Group will be widely publicised, including in the RSA Review and on the Breaking News page of the NZDF Medals website.
24 August 2011
Submissions have now closed.
General Information
Introduction
Some aspects of the service by New Zealand military personnel in South-East Asia between 1950 and today are currently not eligible for medallic recognition. In 2005, the Minister of Defence instructed that this situation be researched and reported upon for the period 1950-1975. An independent historian was employed by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to research the subject, and then prepare a report covering the period up to 1975. The full report of findings can be downloaded from this webpage. The current Government has directed that the consultation is extended to also cover service up to the present.
The Medallic Recognition Joint Working Group (JWG) under the leadership of Independent Chair Neil Walter, a former Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has received the full report, published this consultation document, and made the full copy of the report freely available on the NZDF Medals website. The JWG invited submissions on service from 1950-1975 and also on service from May 1975 (end of the Vietnam War) to the present.
The consultation period was from Tuesday 12 July 2011 to Tuesday 23 August 2011.
Brief
The instructions to the independent historian were to assess examples of service that do not currently qualify for medallic recognition, and assess whether that service should qualify under current criteria as “operational service”.
Service which already qualifies for medallic recognition
Most operational service in South-East Asia up to 1966 already qualifies for some medallic recognition by New Zealand. This relates to the operational service in the region in Malaya/Malaysia, Thailand and the Indonesian Confrontation. In addition, operational service in Vietnam from 1962 to 1975 also receives medallic recognition from New Zealand.
It should be noted that some individuals have undertaken operational service in South-East Asia but not for enough days to meet the requirements to be awarded a medal.
Principles for medallic recognition of operational service
The assessment of service for medallic recognition takes into account the Government's principles for recognising “operational service”. These principles were approved by Cabinet in 2000.
Peacetime service overseas may be demanding and of strategic value, but it is generally similar to that completed in New Zealand. Under Principle 1 of the New Zealand Government’s Principles for the Medallic Recognition of Operational Service: “Medals are awarded to recognise service that is beyond the normal requirements of peacetime service in New Zealand”.
The Government’s practice has been that “No service is recognised by the award of a medal for operational service unless there has been operational activity involving a risk of casualties and the possibility that the use of force may be required”.
Normal peacetime duties such as training and garrison duties will not be assessed as operational service unless undertaken in a location where there is a credible threat from enemy military forces. It is important to note that while actual combat does not have to occur, a credible expectation of it must exist.
So while the New Zealand military presence in South-East Asia from 1950 to 1989 was part of our contribution to strategic forward defence, only the operational service in relation to the conflicts in Malaya/Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand and Vietnam currently qualify for medallic recognition.
Submissions (NOW CLOSED)
Consultation period
The consultation period was from Tuesday 12 July 2011 to Tuesday 23 August 2011.
Closing date for submissions
The closing date for submissions was Tuesday 23 August 2011.
Who could make a submission?
Any interested persons or organisations were invited to make a written submission.
How could a submission be made?
1. Please carefully read the three documents which can be downloaded below before making your submission.
- a. South-East Asia Checklist for Submissions (PDF format 25 kb or MS Word format 68 kb)
- b. South-East Asia Service - 1950-2011 - Public Consultation document (PDF format 79 kb or MS Word format 124 kb)
- c. South-East Asia 1950-1975 Report of Research Findings (PDF format 222 kb or MS Word format 370 kb)
2. Then submissions (with supporting evidence and a completed Checklist for Submissions) were e-mailed to medals.admp@nzdf.mil.nz ; or posted to:
Medallic Recognition Joint Working Group
c/- Deputy Director Medals Policy
Defence Personnel Executive
Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force
Private Bag 39997
WELLINGTON 5045
Neil Walter
Independent Chair
Medallic Recognition Joint Working Group
12 July 2011
Note: This review did not consider eligibility for entitlements under the War Pensions Act 1954.
UPDATE 24 August 2011: Submissions have now closed.
Questions on the submission process
Questions on the submission process should be sent to the Deputy Director Medals Policy at the e-mail or postal address given above.
Reporting Date, More Information and FAQs
Reporting Date to the Government
The Joint Working Group submitted an interim report to the Minister of Defence in November 2011. It is currently undertaking further archival research and will then finalise its report and recommendations. The Joint Working Group expects to present its final report to the Government by 1 May 2012.
Then what happens?
The Government's decisions on the recommendations from the Joint Working Group will be widely publicised, including in the RSA Review and on the Breaking News page of the NZDF Medals website.
More information and FAQs
For more information on the proposed medal see the South-East Asia Review Frequently Asked Questions page.
Quick Links
- Return to the top of this page
- FAQs - South-East Asia review
- Update 9 March 2012
- Chief of Defence Force's media release of 12 July 2011 on the SE Asia 1950-2011 Public Consultation process
- NZDF Medals Breaking News page
- Campaign medals for service since 3 September 1945 listed by campaign or mission
- Medals Listed by RNZN Deployment 3 Sept 1945 to 2011
- Medals Initiatives 1992 to 2011 - recognising operational and non-operational service since 3 September 1945
This page was last reviewed 16 March, 2012 and is current.
