New Zealand Antarctic Medal
| New Zealand Antarctic Medal | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Awarded by New Zealand | |
| Type | Medal |
| Eligibility | for 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. |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Post-nominals | NZAM |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1 September 2006 |
| First awarded | 30 December 2006 |
| Last awarded | 2013 Birthday Honours |
| Total awarded | 9 as of 31 December 2009 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Queen's Service Medal (QSM) |
| Next (lower) | New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) |
| Related | Polar Medal |
_ribbon.png){kind=small} Ribbon bar of the medal |
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The New Zealand Antarctic Medal was created 1 September 2006, 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 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 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 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.
As of 2 February 2015, 11 Commonwealth individuals and 1 Honorary awards have been issued. All honorees are entitled to the Postnominal Letters NZAM.
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