New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration
| New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration | |
|---|---|
Obverse of the decoration | |
| Type | Medal for Meritorious Service |
| Awarded for | Distinguished military service, by regular, territorial and reserve members of the New Zealand Defence Force |
| Presented by | New Zealand |
| Eligibility | all members of the New Zealand Defence Force, or uniformed members of allied forces serving with the New Zealand Defence Force |
| Post-nominals | DSD |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 14 May 2007 |
| First award | 4 June 2007 |
| Final award | 31 December 2024 |
| Total | 133 |
Ribbon of the medal | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | New Zealand Antarctic Medal |
| Next (lower) | British Empire Medal |
The New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) was instituted by Royal Warrant as a New Zealand Royal Honour in 2007 to recognise distinguished military service, by regular, territorial and reserve members of the New Zealand Defence Force. Until 1995, this type of service was recognised by awards of the British Empire Medal (Military Division). After the change to a totally New Zealand Honours system in 1996, these Commonwealth awards were not available to be awarded to New Zealand military personnel.