History

The New Zealand Antarctic Medal was established by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand by Royal Warrant on September 1, 2006. The Medal was created to replace the British Polar Medal. It is awarded to New Zealand citizens and foreigners who, as part of a New Zealand mission to Antarctica, have made an outstanding contributions to exploration, research, and environmental conservation. The Medal may be awarded posthumously.

Clasps may be awarded for further services worthy of another award. Recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters NZAM.

The recipient’s full name is engraved in the rim, and the reverse depicts an image of four emperor penguins with an Antarctic landscape.