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The New Zealand Antarctic Medal (NZAM)

The New Zealand Antarctic Medal (NZAM)

Overview

The New Zealand Antarctic Medal (NZAM) was instituted as a New Zealand Royal Honour in 2006. It is awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to exploration, scientific research, conservation, environmental protection, or knowledge of the Antarctic region.

In 1995, the  Prime Minister’s Honours Advisory Committee recommended retaining the British Polar Medal of 1904 and constituting it under a New Zealand Royal Warrant. It also recommended renaming the award “The Antarctic Medal” to reflect New Zealand’s endeavours and achievements in the region. 

Description

The New Zealand Antarctic Medal is sterling silver and retains the famous octagonal shape and white ribbon of the Polar Medal. The obverse bears the effigy of the Queen by Ian Rank-Broadley, FRBS, FSNAD, of the United Kingdom and the inscription Elizabeth II Queen of New Zealand.  The reverse features a group of four Emperor Penguins on an Antarctic landscape with Mt Erebus in the background. The recipient’s name and date of the award are engraved on the rim of the medal.

The medal is suspended on a white ribbon.  A distinctive lapel badge, for everyday wear, is issued to living recipients.  Each award is accompanied by a certificate signed by The Queen and the Governor-General.

A bar can be awarded for subsequent services worthy of recognition by the same level of award.

Recipients of the medal have the privilege of adding the letters N.Z.A.M after their names.

Eligibility

New Zealanders and other persons who either individually or as members of a New Zealand programme 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 is not awarded for acts of bravery, for short-term acts of extreme endurance, for long service, or for service in Antarctica generally.

For full details:

The Royal Warrant for the New Zealand Antarctic Medal(external link)

The New Zealand Antarctic Medal Regulations 2006(external link)

Recipients

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet maintains a list of recipients. For more details:

See the up to date list of recipients(external link)

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this honour

    The New Zealand Antarctic Medal is worn with medals for meritorious service in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  It is always worn after the King's Service Medal (formerly the Queen's Service Medal) and before the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration.

    For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:

  • Nominating someone for the NZ Antarctic Medal

    The New Zealand Antarctic Medal (NZAM) is one of the awards in New Zealand's Royal Honours System. It is managed by the Honours Unit in the Cabinet Office, part of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. This unit receives nominations for the medal and works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Environment Division to review them.

    To nominate someone for this award, current serving NZDF may complete an MD592 and submit the form through Single Service chains of command.  Self-nominations will not be accepted.  

    Nominations for ex-serving personnel or civilians may be made by completing a nomination form and forwarding it to the Honours Unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 

    For guidelines and documentation to make a nomination see:

    NZAM Nomination guidelines(external link)

  • Checking if this honour was awarded

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by filling out the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record