Awards Information

The Sir Alexander Gillies Medal is the most prestigious that PENZ can confer and it is awarded rarely for distinguished and outstanding services of national or international significance to the profession. Sustained, career-long service which adds to the prestige of the award is the expectation.

The award of Life Member may be conferred by PENZ on members who have given long and distinguished service in the cause of physical education. The honour is given sparingly. In general, it is given only when the service rendered has been nationwide and outstanding in nature.

The purpose of this award is to recognise and honour PENZ members who have made sustained and significant contributions to PENZ and the Physical Education profession. Designation as a Fellow of PENZ is an honorary recognition for PENZ members and confers no other specific individual or collective responsibility.

The Te Whetū Hou (Future Physeder) award recognises a tertiary student preparing to enter the profession. They will have shown significant promise and commitment to furthering their knowledge of Physical Education.

The Te Aranga o Puanga (PE Educator in First 5 Years) award recognises a teacher in their first five years of teaching. They demonstrate a passion for, and have made a notable contribution to, the Physical Education of tamariki and rangatahi.

The Te Takurua (PE Educator for Over 5 Years) award recognises a teacher, who has been teaching for more than 5 years and that has made a significant contribution to the Physical Education of tamariki and rangatahi.

The Te Ika o te Raki (PE Team or Organisation) award recognises a group, team, syndicate, department or school’s excellence in Physical Education curriculum delivery.

The Te Iho-Takaroa Ringawera award is made by the PENZ Board for contributions to the profession that may be slightly leftfield because at times they will be removed from the day-to-day work of Physical Education.

The Tama | Hine te Uira award acknowledges Māori PE educators that demonstrate a spark of innovation, the flash of creativity and a flare for making change.

The Tane Pepeke award acknowledges individuals or organisations furthering the incorporation of mātauranga Māori within a Physical Education context.

The PE Partnership award acknowledges communities embracing their world of movement through a partnership designed to support quality Physical Education experiences in their communities.

The Community Champion award celebrates an individual or organisation in the community who have significantly contributed to the promotion and facilitation of quality physical education experiences.

The Long-Service award recognises an individual who has contributed a significant number of years to the delivery of quality Physical Education, in or out of the classroom.

The Research & Innovation in PE award recognises groundbreaking research or innovations that have positively influenced PE teaching and learning.