Up to 10,000 people in Dunedin and surrounding areas could be eligible for a New Zealand Defence Service Medal and there has already been a flurry of interest.
Applications for the New Zealand Defence Service Medal (NZDSM) opened on April 14 for ex-service personnel who are more than 70 years old.
The new medal, announced by the Prime Minister in October last year, formally acknowledges those who have served New Zealand, often behind the scenes and in support of others in operational roles, or who completed their compulsory military training (CMT) or national military service obligations - for which there has been little medallic recognition.
Those who have served in the military for more than three years since World War 2, for example in regular, K Force, J Force and Territorial service (including the RNZN Reserve and RNZN Volunteer Reserve) also qualify for the NZDSM.
Dunedin RSA president Alan Goding said the medals had been required for a long time because previously, only a select few qualified for medals.
Many people had served 20 or 30 years in the services and, other than long-service medals, there was no recognition of their work.
About 160,000 people nationally are eligible for the NZDSM, so there will be a four-stage call for applications.
Priority will be given to processing applications from the oldest living ex-service personnel first.
This will be followed by a call for applications from people in their 60s, then 50s, and then families of deceased servicemen and women.
The Medals Office expects more than 100,000 applications for the medal in the first three years of the project.
