2019 Kingma Award winner:
Neville Palmer
Since his arrival at GNS Science 16 years ago, Neville has been the lynchpin in our ability to build-up a world-class geodetic dataset revealing the diverse array of active tectonic deformation in New Zealand.
Neville has been responsible for leading and organizing GPS field campaigns, training various GNS and LINZ personnel to acquire quality data, and maintaining good will with landowners whose properties we regularly have to access. More recently, he has taken on the role of lead technician in the development and construction of seafloor instrumentation to detect offshore tectonic deformation and slow slip events at the Hikurangi subduction zone.
The dedication, expertise, and versatility of technical staff like Neville are integral to our ability to do excellent science in New Zealand.
Past Kingma Award winners
| Year | Person | From |
| 2018 | Karen Britten | GNS Science |
| 2017 | Jenny Black | GNS Science |
| 2016 | Brent Pooley | University of Otago |
| 2015 | Annette Rodgers | Waikato University |
| 2014 | Kerry Swanson | Canterbury University |
| 2013 | Marianna Terezow | GNS Science |
| 2012 | Delia Strong | GNS Science |
| 2011 | Belinda Smith-Lyttle | GNS Science |
| 2010 | David Heron | GNS Science |
| 2009 | David Feek | Massey University |
| 2008 | Iain Matcham | formerly GNS, Lower Hutt |
| 2007 | Roger Tremain | GNS, Lower Hutt |
| 2006 | Ritchie Sims | Geol. Dept., University of Auckland |
| 2005 | Steve Wilcox | NIWA, Wellington |
| 2004 | Rob Spiers | Geol. Dept., University of Canterbury |
| 2003 | Ben Morrison | GNS, Dunedin |
| 2002 | Lisa Northcote | NIWA, Wellington |
| 2001 | Dirk Immenga | Dept. Earth Sciences, University of Waikato |
| 2000 | John Patterson | School of Earth Sciences, Victoria University |
| 1999 | Louise Cotterall; Damian Walls | Auckland University; Otago University |
| 1998 | Roger Williams | GNS, Wellington |
| 1997 | Richard Garlick | NIWA, Wellington |
| 1996 | Greg Foster | NIWA, Wellington |
| 1995 | Mike Trinder | Geol. Dept. University of Otago |
| 1994 | Andrew Sutton | Geol. Dept., Victoria University |
| 1993 | No award made | - |
| 1992 | Andrew Grebneff | Geol. Dept., University of Otago |
| 1991 | Stephen Brown | Geol. Dept., University of Canterbury |
| 1990 | Vic O'Connor | Tonkin & Taylor Ltd., Auckland |
| 1989 | Stephen Bergin | Rock and Soil Mechanics Lab., University of Waikato |
| 1988 | Jane Forsyth | NZGS, Dunedin |
| 1987 | Vaughan Stagpoole | Geophysics Division, Wairakei |
| 1986 | Arthur Alloway | Geol. Dept., University of Canterbury |
| 1985 | Martin Little | Geol. Dept., University of Auckland |
| 1984 | June Cahill | NZGS, Lower Hutt |
| 1983 | Edward Pak | Geothermal Institute, University of Auckland |
| 1982 | John Mitchell | NZ Oceanographic Institute, Wellington |
| 1981 | Brad Scott; Glen Coates | NZGS, Rotorua; NZGS Christchurch |
| 1980 | Keith Calder | Geol. Dept., Victoria University of Wellington |
| 1979 | Barry Burt | NZGS, Lower Hutt |
| 1978 | John Simes | NZGS, Lower Hutt |
| 1977 | Neville Orr | NZGS, Lower Hutt |
| 1976 | Christine Whiteford | Geophysics Division, Wellington |
| 1975 | D.R. Petty | NZGS, Otara |
Ko Kingma
Jacobus (Ko) Kingma (1916-1974) came to New Zealand to join the NZ Geological Survey in the Napier District Office in 1949. This followed a colourful early life in Indonesia, a painful experience in a Japanese POW camp, and postgraduate research in Holland. During his time at the Survey he published 4 four-mile maps (more than any other geologist) and set up the Survey's Sedimentology Laboratory in Christchurch, where he worked for the last 15 years of his life.
Ko has been described as one of the most stimulating, colourful and imaginative geologists New Zealand has known. Some of his alternative ideas are to be found in his book "The geological structure of New Zealand".
Ko was the Geological Society’s third President (1957-58). Among his other research interests were fossil ostracods (MSc), taxonomy of ants, and world religions.
The Kingma Award for technicians was funded by his family in memory of Ko.
