Obverse: The obverse bears the New Zealand Coat of Arms. Reverse: On the right is a large New Zealand fern frond and the badge of the New Zealand Defence Force on the left. The lower portion contains the inscription THE NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE SERVICE MEDAL. Ribbon: Dark blue on the left, followed by red and then light blue. These colours are separated by narrow light green stripes. Bar: Inscribed with the letters Territorial.