The New Zealand Geographical Society gives out three awards:
- Life Membership - awarded to long-term members of the Society who have contributed substantially to the functioning and development of the Society. The first Life Membership award was made in 1952.
- Distinguished New Zealand Geographer Medals - awarded by the Society to recognise the outstanding contribution New Zealand Geographers have made to Geography and society, whether in New Zealand or overseas. The first Distinguished New Zealand Geographer Medals were awarded in 2001.
- Distinguished Service Awards - The award recognises contributions to service in activities and roles directly or indirectly under the auspices of the New Zealand Geographical Society by a member of the Society. The award will specifically cite the nature of the service contribution. The first Distinguished Service Awards were awarded in 2009.
- President's Awards - annual awards which recognise the achievements of members across a number of categories - Best Masterate Thesis in Geography, Best Doctoral Thesis in Geography, Emerging Researcher in Geography, Collaborative Research Involving Geographers, Graduate Research Supervision in Geography, Teaching in Geography (all settings).
The Society is also proud to acknowledge other awards granted to its members by organisations such as the New Zealand Government and The Royal Society of New Zealand