History

The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration was established by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand by Royal Warrant in 2008. The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration was instituted to reward distinguished or meritorious military service, including efforts towards peacetime and humanitarian service. The decoration may be awarded to military personnel of any rank in the New Zealand Armed Forces, or to uniformed members of allied forces who served with the New Zealand Defence Force. Foreigners or commonwealth citizens are eligible for Honorary awards. It may also be awarded posthumously.

Silver clasps in the shape of two New Zealand fern fronds are awarded for further qualifying service. Recipients of the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration are entitled to use the post-nominal letters DMD.

The decoration is stylized after a traditional Maori Kotiate war club. The reverse displays an inscription in both English and Maori, as well as an engraving of the recipient’s name and date of the award.