Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (New Zealand)

The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (New Zealand) is a medal awarded to members of the New Zealand Armed Forces. It recognizes long and faithful service, and good conduct. Separate versions of the medal exist for each branch of the armed forces: the Royal New Zealand Navy, the New Zealand Army, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Each version bears a unique design appropriate to its service.

Eligibility and Criteria:

To be eligible for the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (New Zealand), individuals must have completed a specified period of qualifying service. This qualifying service typically requires a minimum number of years of efficient and blameless service. In addition to length of service, recipients must also demonstrate a record of good conduct, free from serious disciplinary offences. The exact length of service required may vary depending on the branch of the armed forces and regulations in force at the time.

Description:

The design of each branch's medal differs to reflect the identity of that service. However, all versions share the common characteristic of being suspended from a ribbon. The obverse usually features an effigy of the reigning monarch of New Zealand at the time of issue. The reverse typically displays a design relevant to the specific branch of service, often incorporating imagery associated with the Navy, Army or Air Force, alongside inscriptions related to long service and good conduct.

Ribbon:

Each version of the medal has its own distinct ribbon, incorporating colours associated with the respective service. These colours are used to differentiate the medals visually and to provide immediate indication of the recipient's service branch.

Clasps:

Clasps may be awarded to the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (New Zealand) for subsequent periods of qualifying service beyond the initial award. Each clasp denotes a further period of exemplary service. Clasps are attached to the medal ribbon. The design and eligibility criteria for clasps may vary depending on the regulations of the time and the specific branch of the armed forces.

Precedence:

The Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (New Zealand) is worn in a specific order of precedence with other New Zealand orders, decorations, and medals. The order of precedence is determined by regulations and reflects the relative importance of the various awards.