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King's Service Medal

King's Service Medal
The King's Service Medal (obverse and reverse)
Awarded forVoluntary service to the community
Services to the Crown in the public sector, in elected or appointed office.
CountryNew Zealand
Presented byMonarch of New Zealand
EligibilityNew Zealand citizens
Citizens of Commonwealth nations where The King is head of state[1]
Post-nominalsKSM
Established13 March 1975
Last awarded31 December 2024
Total4,041[2]
Ribbon of the King's Service Medal
Precedence
Next (higher)Royal Victorian Medal[3]
Next (lower)New Zealand Antarctic Medal[3]
RelatedKing's Service Order

The King's Service Medal (created as the Queen's Service Medal in 1975 and renamed in 2024) is a medal awarded by the government of New Zealand to recognise and reward volunteer service to the community and also public service in elected or appointed public office. It was established in 1975 and is related to the Queen's Service Order.[4] The QSM replaced the Imperial Service Medal as an award of New Zealand.[5]

On 3 May 2024, the Queen's Service Medal was renamed to the King's Service Medal by Royal Warrant. Recipients of the Queen's Service Medal from 1975 until May 2024 will continue to use the 'QSM' postnominal with recipients of the King's Service Medal from June 2024 using the postnominal 'KSM'.[6]

Appearance

1975–2007

First version of the Queen's Service Medal in ribbon configuration

The original medal was made of sterling silver, 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter. The obverse bears the same effigy of The Queen as the badge of the Queen's Service Order. Surrounding the effigy are the Royal styles and titles "ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D.". The reverse depicts the New Zealand Coat of Arms surrounded by the inscription "The Queen's Service Medal" and the name of the sub-division either "for Community Service" or "for Public Services". The initials and name of the recipient is engraved on the rim of the Medal. The medals were made by the Royal Mint.[1]

2007–2023

The Queen's Service Medal (pre 2024) (obverse and reverse)

The medal is also made of sterling silver, and is 36 mm in diameter. The obverse bears the Ian Rank-Broadley designed effigy of The Queen. The effigy is surrounded by the Royal styles and titles "ELIZABETH II QUEEN OF NEW ZEALAND". The reverse bears the New Zealand Coat of Arms surrounded by the inscription "The Queen's Service Medal" above and "for service – MO NGA MAHI NUI" below. The new Badge and Medal are made by Thomas Fattorini Limited, of Birmingham, United Kingdom.[1]

Since 2024

The obverse of the King's Service Medal depicts King Charles III's portrait and his title 'CHARLES III KING OF NEW ZEALAND'.

The reverse of the King's Service Medal is the same as the Q.S.M., but references to 'Queen's' has been replaced with 'King's'.

Ribbon

Both versions of the medal are suspended from a ribbon 36 mm wide. The edges are a narrow red ochre (kokowhai) stripe. The centre has alternating stripes of red ochre, white and black in a descending step pattern from left to right. The design is inspired by the Māori poutama pattern used in tukutuku wall panels. It is usually interpreted as the "stairway to heaven", but in this case it refers to "steps of service".[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Queen's Service Order". DPMC. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  2. ^ Medal Yearbook 2023. Honiton, Devon: Token. 2022. p. 548. ISBN 978-1-908828-63-7.
  3. ^ a b "NZDF Medals – Order of Wear". Medals.nzdf.mil.nz. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  4. ^ a b "NZDF Medals – The Queen's Service Medal (QSM)". Medals.nzdf.mil.nz. 21 May 2007. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  5. ^ "The Imperial Service Order and Medal". Medals awarded to New Zealand military personnel. New Zealand Defence Force. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  6. ^ "New Zealand Royal Honours FAQs". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
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