Established by Royal Warrant 15 October 2013, the medal may be awarded to recognize meritorious exceptional performance, commitment, or innovation.

[2] The New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal is made of silver and circular in shape.

The reverse bears the inscriptions FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE and HE TOHU HIRANGA surrounded by a wreath of fern fronds surmounted by St Edward's Crown.

[3] The medal was designed by the New Zealand Herald of Arms, Phillip O’Shea CNZM LVO.

[2] Subsequent awards of the medal will be depicted by bars made of silver and silver-gilt bearing a single fern frond.