Medals and Awards
Lincoln University medals and awards recognise individuals who have made outstanding achievements in their fields of expertise.
Nominations are welcome from Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University alumni, staff members and students, as well as industry, friends, associates and members of the public.
Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University has seven medals and awards administered by Council's Awards Committee. The award nomination criteria for each category can be found below.
An online nomination form must be completed for each award or medal.
Please email Council@lincoln.ac.nz if you wish to submit a paper-based nomination.
Nominations for all the 2026 awards open on 12 May 2025 and close on 13 September 2025.
The Lincoln University Awards Committee Policy and Procedure is available here.
The Lincoln University Council has established an Awards Committee to consider nominations for the conferral of higher doctorates honoris causa and to establish guidelines for honorary degrees. The Committee considers nominations and recommends recipients to the Council.
The available honorary degrees are:
- D.Com – Doctor in Commerce
- D.Nat.Res – Doctor of Natural Resources
- D.Sc – Doctor of Science
- D.SocSci – Doctor of Social Science honoris causa
Complete an online nomination form here.
Award Nomination Criteria
Nominees are assessed on the following criteria:
1. The nominee has achieved very high distinction in his/her field, whether or not that field relates to Lincoln University specialisations. The achievement is considered under the following categories:
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Arts, Culture and Sport
- Commerce
- Environment
- Māori
- Politics
- Recreation and Tourism
- Science and Research
2. The nominee has established connections with Lincoln University due to one of the following:
- Being a graduate or diplomat
- Being a former member of the Lincoln University Council
- Being a former staff member
- Other connections with Lincoln University.
3. The candidate has the potential to enhance the public profile of Lincoln University or of its areas of specialisation or to inspire the students of Lincoln University through being a role model.
Recipients
2022: David James Shearer (DCom) and Anake Angus Murray Goodall (DNatRes)
2021: Andy Borland (DCom)
2020: James Douglas (DSc)
2019: Dr John Penno (DCom), Hugh Wilson (DNatRes) and John Tavendale (DCom)
2018: Dame Margaret Bazley ONZ, DNZM, Hon DLit, Thomas Lambie ONZM and Geoff Ross
View a list of previous recipients.
The Bledisloe Medal was established in 1930 by the late Viscount Bledisloe, former Governor-General of New Zealand.
It is awarded to a former Lincoln student or a past or current Lincoln staff member who has made an outstanding contribution to his or her chosen field of expertise, advanced New Zealand's interests, and/or brought credit to Lincoln University.
Complete an online nomination form here.
Award nomination criteria
Nominees are assessed on:
- Career achievements
- The economic, scientific, cultural or technological value of their work
- The connection between their work and Lincoln's interests
- The extent to which their achievements reflect on, or have the potential to reflect on, the University's reputation
- The extent to which their achievements have advanced New Zealand's interests.
To nominate, please complete a nomination form. Do not attach any other supporting materials, including Curriculum Vitae, as these will not be considered.
Recipients
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2022 - Michael BarkerMichael Barker has made an outstanding contribution to the fields of business, marketing, manufacturing, and horticulture in New Zealand and internationally. As a proud Lincoln alumnus, he has brought credit to the university through his successes, hard work, and contribution to the local economy. Read Michael's full citation. |
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2021 - Jeff GrantJeff Grant has had a long and successful career in the land-based industries in New Zealand. The Lincoln University Diploma in Agriculture graduate farms sheep, beef and deer at Balfour in Southland, and has extensive agribusiness and rural sector leadership experience. Read Jeff's full citation. |
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2020 - Leoni FreemanLeonie Freeman has held numerous private and public leadership roles in the New Zealand property sector and has wide experience across many property disciplines. Read Leonie's full citation |
- 2019: Dr Allan Hewitt
- 2018: Neil Craig ONZM
- 2017: Forbes Elworthy
Read about past recipients on the Lincoln University Living Heritage website or download a list.
The Chancellor's Medal is a new medal, established in 2021. It will be awarded to a current or former staff member or alumnus of Lincoln University who has provided significant and meritorious service that has brought credit to Lincoln University.
Complete a nomination form here.
Do not attach any other supporting materials, including Curriculum Vitaes, as these will not be considered.
The Global Science medal is a new medal, established in 2021.
It will be awarded to a former student, current or former staff member or associate of Lincoln University who, in the opinion of the Lincoln University Council, has made an outstanding contribution to his or her chosen field in science and brought credit to Lincoln University through the current or future global impact of their achievements.
Complete a nomination form here.
Award Nomination Criteria
Nominees are assessed on the following criteria:
- They are a former student, past or current staff member, or an associate of Lincoln University who has made an outstanding contribution in their chosen field in science and brought credit to Lincoln University through:
- The scientific, technological, or innovative value of their work;
- The current or future global impacts of their career achievements;
- The extent of the connection between their work and the aims/interest of Lincoln University;
- The extent to which their achievements reflect on, or have the potential to reflect on, the University's reputation.
The Alumni International Medal is awarded to a former Lincoln student or a past or current Lincoln staff member who has made an outstanding contribution to their chosen field of expertise and has brought credit to Lincoln University due to their achievements in a country other than New Zealand.
Complete a nomination form here.
Please do not attach any other supporting materials, including Curriculum Vitaes, as these will not be considered.
Award Nomination Criteria
Nominees are assessed on:
- Career achievements
- The economic, scientific, cultural or technological value of their work
- The connection between their work and Lincoln's interests
- The extent to which their achievements reflect on, or have the potential to reflect on, the University's reputation
- Whether the candidate's distinctions were the result of work in a country other than New Zealand.
Recipients
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2021 - Tony RyanTony Ryan's services as an international development consultant have been keenly sought by several development agencies, especially the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). He was regarded as being highly knowledgeable of South East Asia, particularly Indonesia and Cambodia, and Pacific-island rural development issues.
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2020 - Dr Nilo CovacevichDr Nilo Covacevich is one of the foremost experts in Chile on native tussock grassland production and the cultural and technological value of his work is raising the living standards of all rural people in Chile.
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2019 - Bruce JefferiesBruce Jefferies is a globally recognised leader in Protected Areas Management. He has made an exceptional contribution to the conservation of the world's natural ecosystems, habitats and environments and, through that, to humankind. Bruce has worked in 15 countries, including Antarctica, and completed 36 international missions throughout his career.
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2018: Dr Pema Gyamtsho
2017: Brian Hedley
Read about past recipients on the Lincoln University Living Heritage website or download a list.
The Lincoln University Medal is awarded to a Lincoln staff member, graduate, or member of the Lincoln community who has provided long-term voluntary service and support to the fabric or reputation of Lincoln University.
Complete a nomination form here.
Award Nomination Criteria
Nominees are assessed on:
- The quality and quantity of time and/or resources volunteered by the nominee
- The effect of the volunteered work on the furthering of the interests of Lincoln University.
Recipients
2021: Vince Ashworth and Bill Harrington
2020: David Perrin, Sue Bowie, and John Haggart
2019: Jayne Smith and Alanna Taylor
2018: Alan Boddy, Peter Chamberlain, Kendra Cocksedge, George Haddow and Rob Latimer
2016/2017: Elizabeth Burt
2015: Ian Collins, Noel Hickland and Heather Watson
View or download a list of past recipients.
The Ngāti Moki Trophy was gifted to us in 2008 by Te Taumutu Rūnanga. It is awarded each year to a student, graduate, alumnus, staff member or associate of the University who has shown considerable leadership and commitment to Māori development and advancement at Lincoln.
The trophy is named for Moki, the tupuna (grandparent or ancestor) of Ngāti Moki, Ngāi Te Ruahikihiki ki Taumutu. In the late seventeenth century, Moki established his pa on the site where the present Ngāti Moki Marae is now located near the south-western edge of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere.
Moki was well known for his heroic feats, leadership skills, and tendency to take the initiative when needed to protect the interests of his people.
Complete a nomination form here.
Award Nomination Criteria
Nominees are assessed according to the extent of their demonstrated leadership and commitment to Māori development and advancement at Lincoln University. Nominations for the 2025 awards close on 6 September 2024.
Recipients
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2021 - Denise SheatDenise Sheat has represented Te Taumutu Rūnanga for 10 years on Ahumairaki, Lincoln University Council's Māori sub-committee, her work ensuring the continuation of the strong relationship between the university and the rūnanga. Read Denise's full citation.
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2020 - Maui DuleyMaui is a member of the Lincoln University Te Awhioraki Executive Committee, and in his role has supported his peers and fellow students by encouraging them to use Te Whare Whakakotahi, promoting all Māori events and by being a great promoter of the Te Reo Māori courses at Lincoln. Read Maui's full citation. |
2019 - Lloyd CarpenterSenior Lecturer in Māori Studies at Lincoln University, Dr Lloyd Carpenter, has shown considerable leadership and commitment to Māori development and advancement at Lincoln University.
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2018: Rhanae Ngawaka
2017: Ekara Lewis
2016: Tom Lambie
See the list of our previous medalists and images of the ceremonies on the Living Heritage website.
Contacts
Council Secretary email: Council@lincoln.ac.nz
The University reserves the right to consider nominations for an alternative award when the nominee's achievements are better suited to another criterion.