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The New Zealand Antarctic Medal has been instituted as a New Zealand Royal Honour to replace the (British) Polar Medal. 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 rigours imposed by the Polar environment to life and movement, whether by land, sea or air.
The 1995 Prime Minister’s Honours Advisory Committee recommended that the Polar Medal should be retained and constituted under a New Zealand Royal Warrant. It also recommended that consideration should be given to renaming or reconstituting this award as “The Antarctic Medal” to reflect the fact that it is relation to Antarctica that New Zealand’s endeavours and achievements have been made. Following consultation with interested groups, The New Zealand Antarctic Medal was formally instituted by The Queen on 1 September 2006.
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 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 will not be awarded for acts of bravery, for short-term acts of extreme endurance, for long service or for service in Antarctica generally.
The New Zealand Antarctic Medal ranks as a sixth level award and takes precedence immediately following The Queen’s Service Medal. Recipients may use the letters “NZAM” after their name.
Nominations for The New Zealand Antarctic Medal: see Nominations for Honours.
The Medal is struck in 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. This effigy is also used on the New Zealand Gallantry and Bravery Awards.
The reverse design shows a group of four Emperor Penguins on an Antarctic landscape with Mt Erebus in the background.
The design of The New Zealand Antarctic Medal is the work of the New Zealand Herald of Arms, Phillip O’Shea, CNZM, LVO.
The Medal is manufactured by Eng Leong Medallic Industries Pte. Ltd, of Singapore , who also manufacture many of the campaign and special service medals for the New Zealand Defence Force.
Bars
A holder of The New Zealand Antarctic Medal, who performs further services worthy of another award, may be awarded a Bar to their medal.
Posthumous Awards
The Medal may be awarded posthumously.
Announcement of Awards
Awards of the New Zealand Antarctic Medal will normally be announced in the regular New Year and Queen’s Birthday Honours Lists.
Naming of Awards
The recipient’s name and date of the award are engraved on the rim of the medal.
Lapel Badge
A distinctive Lapel Badge, for everyday wear, is issued to living recipients. This is in line with the lapel Badges and policy adopted for the various other distinctive New Zealand honours.
Certificate
Each award is accompanied by a certificate signed by The Queen and Governor-General.
See the Order of Wear for The New Zealand Antarctic Medal.
