The Kelly Tarlton Award for Recognition of Services to Underwater Heritage.
New Zealand's incredible coastline and our heritage as a maritime nation has made it a rich source of shipwrecks with untold stories of tragedy, bravery and intrigue. As a way to acknowledge the contribution New Zealand divers have made to preserving this heritage, New Zealand Underwater Heritage Group has created an award to recognise standout explorers and conservationists who have made a notable impact through innovative ideas, maritime conservation projects, or publications - the Kelly Tarlton Award for Recognition of Services to Underwater Heritage.
Marine explorer, diver, conservationist and treasure hunter, Kelly Tarlton (1937-1985) was posthumously inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame in 2012. He is New Zealand’s equivalent of Jacques Cousteau. Kelly is best known for establishing his namesake educational marine aquarium in Auckland. He died seven weeks after it opened. The see-through curved acrylic tunnels he invented have been copied in aquariums around the world. An early convert to scuba diving, Kelly started a commercial diving company and his pioneer work in developing early diving and salvaging equipment allowed him to find and dive on some of New Zealand’s most famous shipwrecks. Two signature wrecks are the Elingamite and the Tasmania. Renowned for his meticulous research, he dived on more sunken ships than any other New Zealander. These successful endeavors led him to create the Museum of Shipwrecks in the Bay of Islands in the 1970s, and later KellyTarlton's underwater aquarium.
The Kelly Tarlton Recognition Award for Services to Underwater Heritage recognises individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions through research, practice, or advocacy to underwater heritage, maritime archaeology or maritime history. The award recognises members of the underwater heritage community for long-term accomplishments or those who have made a notable impact through a significant innovation, body of work or publication. A candidate’s contributions can include innovative ideas or maritime conservation projects, including services that have promoted underwater heritage in New Zealand communities.
The Kelly Tarlton Award trophy features a propeller blade retaining nut and a porthole securing mechanism recovered from the wreck of the Elingamite. It was made by NZUHG Bruce Alexander.
Kelly Tarlton - the man, the award
2017
Noel Hilliam
Many results of Noel’s work and discoveries are on display in the Dargaville museum.
2018
Edith and Lynton Diggle
Edith and Lynton's dedication to researching New Zealand’s shipwrecks was extraordinary.
2019
Keith Gordon
Keith was awarded the trophy for his services to diving and shipwreck exploration.
2020
Ewan Stevenson
Much of Noel’s work and discoveries are on display in the Dargaville museum.
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2021
Peter Mesley
Pete has dedicated himself to researching, finding, diving and photographing wrecks.
2022
Bill Day
For services to underwater maritime heritage.
2023
Malcolm Blair
For services to underwater maritime heritage.
2024
Dave Moran
For services to underwater maritime heritage.
2025
TBC
For services to underwater maritime heritage.