The New Zealand Antarctic Medal was created 1 September 2006, as a New Zealand royal honour to replace the British Polar Medal.
History The Polar Medal was instituted in 1904 and awarded to those who had made notable contributions to the exploration and knowledge of polar regions and who, in doing so, had undergone the hazards and rigors imposed by the polar environment to life and movement, whether by land, sea or air.
In 1995, the Prime Minister's Honours Advisory Committee recommended that the Polar Medal should be created under a New Zealand royal warrant. It also recommended that it should be renamed as "The Antarctic Medal" to reflect the fact that it is in relation to Antarctica that New Zealand's endeavors and achievements have been made. The New Zealand Antarctic Medal was formally instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on 1 September 2006.
Eligibility The New Zealand Antarctic Medal may be awarded to those New Zealanders and other persons who either individually or as members of a New Zealand mission in the Antarctic region have made an outstanding contribution to exploration, scientific research, conservation, environmental protection, or knowledge of the Antarctic region; or in support of New Zealand’s objectives or operations, or both, in the Antarctic region. The Medal will not be awarded for acts of bravery, for short-term acts of extreme endurance, for long service or for service in Antarctica generally.
Recipients , 21 awards and one honorary award have been issued. All recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters NZAM.
Name Portrait Date awarded 1 John Bradshaw 30 December 2006 2 Clive Howard-Williams 30 December 2006 3 Karl Erb 30 December 2006 4 Fred Davey 4 June 2007 5 Timothy Haskell 31 December 2007 6 Peter Barrett 31 December 2009 7 David Harrowfield 31 December 2009 8 Tim Naish 31 December 2009 9 Alex Pyne 31 December 2009 10 Allan Green 3 June 2013 11 Baden Norris 3 June 2013 12 Lou Sanson 31 December 2014 13 Randal Heke 5 June 2017 14 Pat Langhorne 31 December 2018 15 Andrew Leachman 31 December 2018 16 Brian Fitzgerald 31 December 2020 17 Ian Hawes 6 June 2022 18 Nigel Watson 31 December 2022 19 Megan Balks 30 December 2023 20 Al Fastier 31 December 2024 21 Colin Monteath 31 December 2024 22 Alan Hemmings 1 June 2026
See also New Zealand Honours System Polar Medal
Notes
References Beehive New Zealand Antarctic Medal New Zealand Defence Force Archived Medal News 2006