New Zealand announces NZ Special Service Medal for personnel deployed to assist Ukraine

The medal has been approved in principle by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Once the governor-general has approved the medal regulations, which detail eligibility criteria, it is proposed to be issued to those with 30 days of qualifying service.

“Nearly 1,000 New Zealand Defence Force personnel have served in Europe and the United Kingdom supporting Ukraine’s self-defence following the Russian invasion in February 2022,” Minister Collins said.

“These personnel have carried out challenging and often emotionally confronting work in the service of New Zealand.

“As part of Operation Tīeke, they have helped alongside partners to prepare thousands of Ukrainian personnel for the battlefield.”

It’s understood that the New Zealand government has designated the Operation Tīeke deployment as “special service” due to both the psychological impact on those who are deployed and its contribution to the maintenance of a rules-based international order and international peace.

Under the UK-led Operation Interflex, more than 60,000 Ukrainian personnel have been prepared for immediate combat operations.

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“Operation Tīeke is a major component of New Zealand’s effort to uphold the international rules-based order by directly supporting Ukraine against Russia’s illegal invasion and supporting the wider security of our European partners,” Minister Collins said.

“I have seen firsthand the value our personnel are providing to the people of Ukraine, and I am extremely proud of their contribution.

“I would like to thank our NZDF personnel and acknowledge the impact deployment has on their families. We appreciate your service and your sacrifice.”

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.