# New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration

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.

## Eligibility

All members of the New Zealand Defence Force, or uniformed members of allied forces operating with or alongside units of the New Zealand military are eligible for the decoration. It may be awarded for the outstanding performance of military duties in either warlike or non-warlike operations, or for individual efforts toward peacetime and humanitarian service which brings great credit to the New Zealand Defence Force. The acts must contribute significantly, through exceptional devotion to duty, dedication, judgement or application of skills to the conduct of an operational deployment, the conduct of military training or a military operation or operations, or the management and implementation of a project or activity with significant implications for the current or future capability of the New Zealand Defence Force. The Distinguished Service Decoration also may be awarded for a single accomplishment or instance of extraordinary performance of duty, or can be awarded for cumulative efforts over a long period of time.

## Appearance

The decoration, made of sterling silver, is a representation of a kotiate, a Māori eight bladed war club. In the centre of the kotiate is St Edward’s Crown. The blades alternate between frosted and polished silver. The reverse is inscribed “FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE” and its Māori language equivalent “MO NGA TE MAHI KAHURANGI”. The ribbon is dark blue with a center stripe of red, two narrow yellow stripes separate the red stripe from the blue.

## Recipients

| Name | Rank | Unit | Honours list |
| Jonathon Aaron Ishmael Fatu | Private | Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment | 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Shane Andrew Meighan | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Robert James Mills VRD | Lieutenant Commander | Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve | 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Barry John Nelson | Wing Commander | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Brett James Rankin | Lieutenant Colonel | Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery | 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| James Patrick Rankin | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Darren Kavan Te Whata | Corporal | Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment | 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| William Peter Watters | Corporal | Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment | 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Michael Edward Yardley | Group Captain | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| David Anthony Bamfield ONZM | Air Vice-Marshal | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2008 New Year Honours |
| Brenton Lee Beach | Staff Sergeant | Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment | 2008 New Year Honours |
| David Murray Chisnall | Warrant Officer | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2008 New Year Honours |
| Richard Lance Cook | Commander | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2008 New Year Honours |
| John William Lovatt | Wing Commander | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2008 New Year Honours |
| Mark John Richard Mortiboy | Warrant Officer Class One | Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment | 2008 New Year Honours |
| Sean Anthony Ngatai | Corporal | Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment | 2008 New Year Honours |
| Timothy Andrew O'Donnell | Lieutenant | Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment | 2008 New Year Honours |
| Terence Albert Joseph O'Neill | Major | Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment | 2008 New Year Honours |
| Kevin Andrew Yorwarth | Warrant Officer Class One | Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment | 2008 New Year Honours |
| Gregory John Burroughs | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Helen Joy Cooper | Lieutenant Colonel | Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment | 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Michael Peter De Boer | Captain | Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers | 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Timothy Richard Evans | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Timothy Hopkins | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Robert David Joseph Martelletti | Warrant Officer | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Wayne Robert Morris | Warrant Officer | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Christopher Gerard Mortiboy | Major | Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals | 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Phillip John Manning | Gunner | Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery | 2009 New Year Honours |
| Neil Andrew Roberts | Warrant Officer | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2009 New Year Honours |
| George Sean Trengrove MVO | Colonel | Colonel's List, New Zealand Army (Territorial Force) | 2009 New Year Honours |
| John Francis Weel | Warrant Officer Class Two | Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery | 2009 New Year Honours |
| Thomas Michael Allen MNZM | Warrant Officer | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Robert William Gillies | Major | Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment | 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Shirley Anne Patton | Acting Warrant Officer Master-at-arms | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Simon John Caulfield Strombom | Major | Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps (Territorial Force) | 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Dougal Andrew Barker | Major | Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps | 2010 New Year Honours |
| Mark Stanley Brunton | Wing Commander | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2010 New Year Honours |
| Bryce Cameron Gurney | Major | Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers | 2010 New Year Honours |
| Peter Wayne Jacobs | Major | Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps | 2010 New Year Honours |
| Mary Elizabeth Cox | Group Captain | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Jason Stewart Haggitt | Commander | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Blake William Herbert ED JP | Lieutenant | Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (Territorial Force) | 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Michael William Koberstein | Lieutenant | New Zealand Intelligence Corps | 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Simon Montague Marriott | Major | Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps (Territorial Force) | 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Andrew Gavin McMillan | Commander | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Matthew William Pearce | Corporal | Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment | 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Brendon Pett | Wing Commander | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Brendan Patrick Wood | Major | Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps | 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Suzanne Lynn Koia | Captain | Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps | 2011 New Year Honours |
| Donald Napier | Warrant Officer | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2011 New Year Honours |
| Christopher John Parsons MNZM | Lieutenant Colonel | New Zealand Special Air Service | 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Ian Richard Ponse | Warrant Officer Class One | Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment | 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Darren Smith | Acting Warrant Officer | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Keith Murray Bartlett | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2012 New Year Honours |
| John Raymond Boswell | Colonel | New Zealand Army | 2012 New Year Honours |
| Simon Campbell Griffiths | Lieutenant Commander | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2012 New Year Honours |
| Russell Mostyn Kennedy | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2012 New Year Honours |
| David Bruce Ackroyd | Major | | 2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours |
| Layamon John Bakewell | Lieutenant | | 2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours |
| Aaron Douglas Benton | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours |
| Hugh Richard McAslan | Lieutenant Colonel | | 2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours |
| Christopher James Wilson | Warrant Officer Class One | | 2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours |
| Anatoliy Valerievich Derepa | Lance Corporal | | 2013 New Year Honours |
| Athol James Forrest | Group Captain | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2013 New Year Honours |
| Arthur Jordan Gale | Lieutenant | | 2013 New Year Honours |
| Shane Ruane | Major | | 2013 New Year Honours |
| Brent Lockwood Wellington | Lieutenant Colonel | | 2013 New Year Honours |
| James Ernist Harper | Warrant Officer | | 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Robin Michael Hoult | Lieutenant Colonel | | 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Stefan John Michie | Lieutenant Colonel | | 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Lindsay Norriss | Sergeant | | 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Brent John Quin | Major | | 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Scott Matthew Treleaven | Petty officer | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Graeme Alexander Bremner | Warrant Officer Class One | | 2014 New Year Honours |
| Paul Allister Mumm | Warrant Officer Class One | | 2014 New Year Honours |
| Richard Clive Henstock | Warrant Officer | | 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Richard John MacGregor Weston MNZM | Lieutenant Colonel | | 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Dominic Gareth Crosby Wylie | Captain | | 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| David Tale Hamill | Warrant Officer | | 2015 New Year Honours |
| Andrew Ross McKinlay | Captain | Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery | 2015 New Year Honours |
| B | Undisclosed | | 2015 New Year Honours |
| Michael Nochete | Major | | 2015 New Year Honours |
| Murray John Thomson | Flight Sergeant | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2015 New Year Honours |
| Daniel Alexander Edginton | Captain | | 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| G | Undisclosed | | 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Robert Victor Keith McGee | Staff Sergeant | | 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| S | Undisclosed | | 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Simon Andrew Wasley | Lieutenant | | 2015 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Louisa Ann Gritt | Commander | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2016 New Year Honours |
| Anthony Nickel | Chief Petty Officer | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2016 New Year Honours |
| Andrew John Scott | Wing Commander | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2016 New Year Honours |
| C | Undisclosed | | 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Anthony Clinton Childs | Lieutenant Colonel | | 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| J | Undisclosed | | 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Graham Ross Hickman | Major | | 2017 New Year Honours |
| Tina Kathleen Grant | Staff Sergeant | | 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Anthony Bryan Howie | Brigadier | | 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Nicholas Michael Pedley | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Charmaine Maurita Tate | Major | | 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Andrew James Anthony Thornton | Major | | 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Rhys Lloyd Evans | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2018 New Year Honours |
| Gabrielle Louise Gofton | Captain | Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers | 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Jan Joseph Tupuola Peterson | Lieutenant Commander | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2019 New Year Honours |
| Ruth Leonie Putze | Colonel | | 2019 New Year Honours |
| S | Undisclosed | | 2019 New Year Honours |
| Daniel Lawrence Broughton MNZM | Civilian | | 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Peter Rodd Hurly OStJ | Civilian | | 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Richard Alan Walker | Captain | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Michael James Cannon NZBM | Group Captain | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2020 New Year Honours |
| Michael John Shapland | Brigadier | | 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| D | Undisclosed | | 2021 New Year Honours |
| Matt Carey | Captain | | 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Adam John Modd GM | Lieutenant Colonel | New Zealand Army | 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours |
| Anthony Dean Blythen | Lieutenant Colonel | New Zealand Army | 2022 New Year Honours |
| Richard Francis Deihl | Wing Commander | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2022 New Year Honours |
| Brendon John Clark | Captain | Royal New Zealand Navy | 2023 New Year Honours |
| L | Undisclosed | | 2023 New Year Honours |
| Hayden Peter Smith | Sergeant | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2023 New Year Honours |
| Glenn Gowthorpe | Group Captain | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2023 King's Birthday and Coronation Honours |
| George Samuel McInnes | Squadron Leader | Royal New Zealand Air Force | 2023 King's Birthday and Coronation Honours |
| Vanessa Maria Ropitini | Lieutenant Colonel | New Zealand Army | 2023 King's Birthday and Coronation Honours |
| Louis James Munden-Hooper | Lieutenant Commander | | 2024 New Year Honours |
| Makoare Kohupara Te Kani MNZM | Lieutenant Commander | | 2024 New Year Honours |
| Mark Alan Whiteside | Wing Commander | | 2024 King's Birthday Honours |