Obverse:
A depiction of the New Zealand Coat of Arms.

Reverse:
A depiction of a bouquet of fern fronds and flowers of the Pohutukawa, Manuka, Kowhai and Mount Cook Lily. Across the base of the bouquet is a scroll bearing the words FOR SPECIAL SERVICE.

Ribbon:
The ribbon is composed of 11 vertical stripes: red, white, blue, orange, green, yellow, green, orange, blue, white, and red.