University of Otago geographer Prof Tony Binns has been awarded the Distinguished New Zealand Geographer Medal, the New Zealand Geographical Society's top award, which recognises ''outstanding and sustained contributions and service'' to geography and society.
He was president of the society in 2010-11. Prof Binns (65) is a British-born former president of the Geographical Association in the UK, and has just completed a term as president of the Commonwealth Geographical Bureau (2008-12).
In its award citation, the society said Prof Binns was ''one of the most internationally distinguished geographers currently working in New Zealand''. Other Geographical Society awards for 2012 included: Distinguished Service Award, Dr Paul Ashley Keown, Waikato University, and Jane Evans, New Zealand Board of Geography Teachers; Honorary Life Membership Award, June Logie, Auckland University; President's Award for Best Doctoral Thesis, Dr Alastair J. H. Clement, Massey University, and Dr Phil Bartie, Canterbury University.
