New Zealand Antarctic Medal

New Zealand Antarctic Medal
Obverse and reverse of the medal
TypeMedal
Description(Obverse) An effigy of Queen Elizabeth II designed by Ian Rank-Broadley with the inscription "Elizabeth II Queen of New Zealand"; (reverse) four emperor penguins on an Antarctic landscape with Mount Erebus in the background.[1]
Presented byNew Zealand
Eligibilityfor 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.
Post-nominalsNZAM
StatusCurrently awarded
Established1 September 2006
First awarded30 December 2006
Last awarded30 December 2023
Total19 as of 30 December 2023
Total awarded posthumously1
Ribbon bar of the medal
Precedence
Next (higher)Queen's Service Medal (QSM)
Next (lower)New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD)
RelatedPolar Medal

The New Zealand Antarctic Medal was created 1 September 2006, as a New Zealand royal honour to replace the British Polar Medal.

  1. ^ "Insignia of New Zealand State Awards | The New Zealand Antarctic Medal (obverse and reverse)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 24 December 2023.