NZDF medic competition tightly contested
New Zealand Army Corporal Chris Andrews has narrowly claimed the title of top New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) medic after an arduous three-day physical and mental competition.
09 November, 2026
It came down to the wire with only three points separating the top three placegetters with Corporal Andrews claiming the coveted Sergeant Andrew Neagle Memorial Trophy.
Twenty-four medics from Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), NZ Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) competed in individual challenges ranging from advanced resuscitation, managing critical injuries across multiple patients, MARS-L rifle and Glock pistol shooting, cognitive tests, cutting into an airway, inserting an intravenous line and managing a range of trauma scenarios in the field.
This year the biennial competition was held in Whanganui and Manawatū.
Deployable Health Organisation’s Training Warrant Officer Class 2 Matt Manning says the scenarios were designed to identify the medic who best demonstrated technical excellence in their trade skills, physical and mental robustness, and a desire to succeed.
“We’re looking for the medic who displays medical skills, complex problem solving, lateral thinking and physical and mental abilities in a wide range of environments and situations.
“They also get scored on their resilience, critical thinking, patient empathy and communication skills.”
He said the competition served to develop the NZDF’s medics, providing an opportunity to show that they can save lives at any time, in any conditions, no matter the obstacles.
Left: NZDF Top Medic winner Corporal Chris Andrews inserts an IV line into his patient as part of patient trauma care. Middle and right: Medics from all three services were tested and scored on technical skills and core military skills.
Corporal Andrews, who is from Pōkeno in north Waikato and is now based at Burnham Military Camp, said he was competing against other very skilled medics across all services.
“It was exhausting, hot and demanding. The final challenge, where we had to diagnose and treat multiple patients with potentially life-threatening injuries, lasted six hours.”
This was Corporal Andrews’ third attempt at the title, after previously coming fourth and fifth.
Trophies were also awarded to first place getters in the RNZN, Leading Medic Adam Armstrong, and the RNZAF’s Leading Aviator Connor Craig.