26 Jul 2012

All former defence personnel now eligible for medal

6:30 pm on 26 July 2012

The eligibility rules for a New Zealand Defence Force medal given to ex-service personnel have been extended to include all former personnel.

The New Zealand Defence Service Medal was first created in April last year for all ex-service personnel over the age of 70, but that was soon extended to all over the age of 60.

It has now been opened for any ex-service personnel who spent three or more years in the defence force; families of deceased ex-service personnel are also eligible.

Since the medal's creation there have been more than 33,000 recipients.