Purpose

The Edward Kidson Medal is named in honour of Edward Kidson, who was the Director of the New Zealand Meteorological Service from 1927 to 1939. Kidson was instrumental in placing New Zealand meteorology on a sound scientific footing and is regarded as a key figure in the development of meteorology and climatology in this country. His own scientific work in meteorology covered a wide field and he had an international reputation for his papers on Southern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation. His papers on New Zealand's climate remain important benchmarks of atmospheric research. To honour this legacy, the purpose of the Edward Kidson Medal is:

• To acknowledge exceptional scientific achievement in meteorology or climatology by an individual, and
• To promote the principal objective of the Society to encourage an interest in the atmosphere, weather and climate, particularly as related to the New Zealand region and to foster the exchange of information in meteorology and climatology.

Eligibility and Award Criteria

The Edward Kidson Medal is awarded by the Society to an individual for outstanding scientific achievement in meteorology and climatology who has:

• Published a recent scientific paper of the highest quality in a refereed scientific journal, or produced an outstanding scientific report that is publicly available, or
• Demonstrated outstanding leadership and made a significant, long-term scientific contribution, the outputs of which are publicly available, which:

i. advance the science of meteorology and/or climatology, or

ii. advance understanding of how meteorology and climatology influence other scientific disciplines or human activities, and conversely, how developments in other sciences or endeavours shape meteorology and climatology, or

iii. report on significant and novel scientific, educational, social or economic application of meteorology and/or climatology.

There is a requirement that the recipient is a financial member of the New Zealand Meteorological Society. The recipient will normally be resident in New Zealand, but others who have a significant connection with New Zealand, particularly in the field of the atmospheric sciences will be considered.

Application deadline and processing

The Medal is presented biennially (every two years), with nominations preferably submitted by 30 July of the award year. The Medal will only be conferred if nominations of sufficient merit are received. The Medal may not be awarded in any given year if no suitable candidates are identified.

All nominations must either be by a current member of the Meteorological Society of New Zealand or include a written endorsement by a current member. Nominations should be submitted to the Society awards sub-committee (awards@metsoc.org.nz) and must include:

• A detailed statement supporting the nomination,
• The relevant scientific paper or other key research outputs,
• The nominee’s curriculum vitae, and
• The names and contact details of two internationally recognised referees.

Any self-nominations must be accompanied by at least one additional letter of support.

The Society committee will aim to obtain statements from the nominee's referees and may seek additional comments from appropriately qualified persons. The Society Committee will judge nominations subject to the Eligibility and Award Criteria. The recipient will be presented with the Edward Kidson Medal at the annual Meteorological Society Conference. The recipient of the Medal is strongly encouraged to attend at the conference and will be given the opportunity to give an invited talk.

Rules for consideration and awarding the Edward Kidson Medal

Rules for the consideration and awarding of the Edward Kidson Medal of the Meteorological Society of New Zealand were last changed at the 2015 AGM and can be found here

The Call for Nominations will be made in 2026.