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.